Know your player for AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026: Soumya Guguloth
A rising star leading the Indian women’s team attack
Soumya Guguloth is the new rising star of the Indian women’s team attack. Asia’s biggest women’s footballing event is just around the corner, and the Indian women’s team are gearing up in full force.
The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup will kickstart its proceedings in Australia from March 1. India has been clubbed alongside Chinese Taipei, Japan and Vietnam in Group C of the competition.
They will begin their campaign with a clash against Vietnam on March 4 before facing off against Japan on March 7 and Chinese Taipei on March 10. This will be India’s tenth appearance at continental showpiece, and they will be keen to make it count having missed out on the last edition due to COVID-19 outbreak in the camp. The Asian Cup will offer six direct slots for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in Brazil.
India will look to make the most out of their attacking flare that consists of Soumya Guguloth, Pyari Xaxa, Manisha Kalyan, and Grace Dangmei.
Let us take a look through Soumya Guguloth’s journey so far.
Soumya Guguloth’s career so far:
Born on 18th July 2001, Soumya hails from Telangana’s Kunepally. She came through the grassroots and played across various youth tournaments before getting her first major breakthrough at the 2017 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship qualifiers where she found the back of the net three times.
Guguloth was handed the captain’s armband for India in the 2018 BRICS U-17 Football Cup in South Africa. She made her senior national team debut in a 0–1 friendly against Uzbekistan on 8 April 2021 before scoring her first goal for India at the 2022 SAFF Women’s Championship against Pakistan as India wrapped up a 3-0 win over their archrivals.
Soumya was a part of India Rush SC before signing for Kenkre FC in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) in 2019 where she notched six goals in seven appearances. The 24-year-old was then signed by Gokulam Kerala and was a part of their historic side that finished third at the 2021 AFC Women’s Club Championship.
The winger’s signature was secured by Croatian top flight club ŽNK Dinamo Zagreb in 2022 after being selected through a trial in Kolkata. She netted her first goal for the Croatian side in the Croatian Women’s Football Cup RO16 match in March 2023.
She rejoined Gokulam Kerala on her arrival to India before teaming up with East Bengal in 2024. Soumya racked up nine goals and helped East Bengal win their first IWL title.
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What does Soumya bring to the table?
Soumya Guguloth is considered to be one of the finest forwards to have ever graced the women’s national team. She is known for her pace and accuracy on the wings. Her ability to take on defenders and put in delicious crosses for the strikers makes her an important asset for India. She can stretch backlines and defeat full-back in 1v1 situations to create chances up front.
Soumya has the experience of playing football at the highest level. She knows what the intensity at the international level is, and her experience and knowledge will come in handy for the Blue Tigresses. She is a mentality monster and refuses to give up easily.
Her never-say-die attitude is very necessary in a competition like the Asian Cup that will come up with a challenge at every step.
Goguloth also tracks back and helps the defenders whenever needed and combines really well with the full backs through overlapping runs and smart movements off the ball.
Her pace will help India initiate lightning quick counter attacks and hurt the opposition. She can also play across multiple positions and adjust her gameplay as per the situation.
Player profile: Soumya Guguloth
- Name: Soumya Guguloth
- Age: 24 years
- Place of Birth: Kunepally, Nizamabad, Telangana, India
- Height: 5’5
- Position: Right Winger
- Preferred Foot: Right-footed player
- Current Club: East Bengal
Which club does Soumya currently play for?
Soumya Guguloth plays for East Bengal FC currently.
Whom does India face in their first game of AFC Women’s Asian Cup?
India will face Vietnam in their first game of AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
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Yash has been involved in the Indian Football circuit since his school days. He has been covering various sports since 2020 and has also covered a couple of on-ground events, including the 2022 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in Odisha.