India drawn in Group C of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 alongside Japan, Vietnam and Chinese Taipei

India will begin their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 campaign against Vietnam.

India have been drawn into Group C of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 alongside Japan, Vietnam and Chinese Taipei, setting up a demanding test for the returning Blue Tigresses.

The final draw ceremony was conducted at Sydney Town Hall on July 29, 2025, where India were represented by head coach Crispin Chettri and midfielder Sangita Basfore.

The tournament will run from March 1 to 21, 2026, across Australian cities Sydney, Perth and Gold Coast, with matches scheduled at iconic venues that hosted the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

India in the Group C of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Final Draw!The Blue Tigresses will face Japan (7), Vietnam (37) and Chinese Taipei (42)!#IndianFootball #BlueTigresses pic.twitter.com/Ig5FQkFxYF

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) July 29, 2025

This marks India’s first participation in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup since 2003. Their path back into the competition was paved with a stellar performance in the qualifiers. The team emerged as winners of Group B, registering wins against Thailand, Iraq, Timor-Leste and Mongolia.

Sangita Basfore, who netted twice in the decisive match against Thailand, was one of the standout performers in a campaign that reignited India’s presence in continental football. With past runners-up finishes in 1980 and 1983, India now hope to re-establish themselves among Asia’s elite.

Who will India face in AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026?

Placed in position C3, the Blue Tigresses will begin their Women’s Asian Cup with a match against Vietnam on March 4, 2026, at the Perth Rectangular Stadium. India will then face Japan on March 7 at the same venue, before squaring off against Chinese Taipei on March 10 at the Western Sydney Stadium.Japan, two-time champions of the Asian Cup, were left heartbroken in the previous edition after losing to China in a dramatic penalty shootout during the semi-finals. They eventually sealed qualification for 2026 by finishing third, and now aim for their third title as they enter the tournament as clear favourites.

Next up is Vietnam, who enjoyed a dominant qualifying run by topping a group that featured the UAE, Guam and the Maldives. They won all three matches and will be confident heading into the finals. Vietnam have twice reached the quarter-finals in this competition and will be hungry to break that barrier with a deep run this time. With a strong domestic league and recent World Cup exposure, they present a significant challenge to any side.

India’s final group opponents, Chinese Taipei, topped Group D with clinical performances and an impressive goal difference. They netted 13 goals and conceded just one, showing great tactical discipline and attacking intent. Once a powerhouse in Asian women’s football, Chinese Taipei have won the tournament thrice in the past, though all their triumphs came in the twentieth century. Now led by head coach Chan Hiu Ming, the side looks poised for a revival.

The Blue Tigresses will have to be at their absolute best to navigate this group. Though underdogs on paper, they showed enough promise in the qualifiers to suggest that they won’t back down from a fight. With experience in the midfield and a rising generation of young talent, India will aim to surprise their higher-ranked opponents and script a new chapter in their return to Asia’s biggest stage.

AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Complete draw

The draw has thrown up plenty of exciting matchups across all three groups. Hosts Australia are placed in Group A with Korea Republic, IR Iran, and the Philippines. Group B features DPR Korea, China PR, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan.

Group A: Australia, Korea Republic, IR Iran, PhilippinesGroup B: DPR Korea, China PR, Bangladesh, UzbekistanGroup C: Japan, Vietnam, India, Chinese Taipei

The top two sides from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will progress to the quarter-finals. The four quarter-final winners will qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.

The losing quarter-finalists will contest the play-offs for the two remaining direct spots allocated to the AFC for the World Cup.

The two play-off losers will have another chance of qualifying for Brazil via the inter-confederation play-offs.

India’s fixtures in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026

March 4, 2026: Vietnam vs India (Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth)March 7, 2026: India vs Japan (Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth)March 10, 2026: India vs Chinese Taipei (Western Sydney Stadium, Sydney)

The quarter-finals will be played from March 13 to 15, and the semi-finals are scheduled for March 17 and 18, in Sydney and Perth.

Sydney’s Stadium Australia, which also hosted the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Final, will be the venue for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Final on March 21.

The World Cup qualifying play-offs for the losing quarter-finalists will be held in the Gold Coast on March 19.

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