India vs Mongolia lineups, team news, prediction & preview | AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers

India are ranked 70 in the FIFA Women’s Rankings.

The Indian Women’s National team kicks off their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers campaign when they face off against Mongolia Women on Monday, 23 June 2025. Crispin Chhetri will be determined for his players to produce a clinical performance and get a big win over the unpredictable Mongolia side and make a push to take control of their qualification group early on.

The Stakes

Mongolia

Mongolia Women’s team are actually the third highest-ranked team in Group B of the Women’s Asian cup qualification, but face a sturdy challenge against a talented Indian side. They have never qualified for an AFC Women’s Asian Cup edition and hope to change that by being the dark horses of their group. The Mongolian women players will need to show a lot of grit and tenacity in terms of taking the fight to the Indian players and outwitting them in key duels.

They will have to work really hard to keep the Indian attacking force quiet and will look to be ruthless on counterattacks to catch their opponents by surprise. A win, or even a draw, can be a major momentum booster for Sandagdorjiin Erdenebat’s side and aid their self-belief levels, but a crushing loss can immediately lower the morale of the squad.

India

The Indian Women’s side have not qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup since 2003 and were unfortunate not to play in the previous edition, which was held in India! Crispin Chhetri will be determined to get his players off to a cracking start in their qualification and will need them to play their clinical best.

He will need his players to be innovative and smart in terms of controlling possession and being intelligent with their build-up play to really trouble the Mongolian players. A big win over Mongolia could raise the energy and momentum level of the Indian players, giving them the platform to build on more wins in the qualification campaign. But if they’re held to a draw or suffer a defeat, it’ll automatically lower their chances of winning their group and cause a major setback.

Team News

Mongolia have named a strong 20-woman squad for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers and Erdenabat should have a fully fit unit available for this.

India have also travelled to Thailand with their strongest 24-member squad to take part in the upcoming Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers.

Head-to-Head Record

This will be the first-ever encounter between the Mongolia Women’s and India Women’s side in any competitive match.

Predicted Lineups

Mongolia (4-2-3-1):

Erdenebileg Tsendjav (GK), Bayasaraikhan Namuun, Orogdol Tsasan-Okhin, Altansukh Altantuya, Mukh-Erdene Khuslen, Tulgabadrakh Enkhjin, Mukhgarid Khaliut, Chinbaatar Solongo, Ulziibayar Undrakh, Narmandakh Namuunaa, Enkhbaatar Enkhmargad

India (4-4-2):

Elangbam Chanu (GK), Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu, Sweety Devi, Shilky Devi, Purnima Kumari, Anju Tamang, Ratanbala Devi, Dangmei Grace, Manisha Kalyan, Soumya Guguloth, Lynda Kom

Players to Watch

Narmandakh Namuunaa (Mongolia)

The 25-year-old striker has represented her country with pride on the international stage and has also scored four goals for her national team so far. Namuunaa had a pretty good record in the Mongolian women’s football scene as well, having scored 18 goals in as many games for Storm FC in the 2022-23 season.

She will be looking to be a menacing threat for the Indian backline with her clever movement in the final third, and also link up cleverly to help out her teammates. The 25-year-old will need to be precise with her passes to create chances for her teammates, but will mostly be tasked to get to the end of chances and ruthlessly finishing off whatever opportunities are in store to help her side get a prominent result.

Manisha Kalyan (India)

Manisha Kalyan has become the gold crown of Indian Women’s football, as she’s doing a pretty impressive job for the PAOK women’s team since joining them in 2024. She’s even played in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and comes to the Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers with a lot of experience behind her. Kalyan has already gained a reputation for an exciting player to watch because of her brilliant dribbling ability as well as her sheer pace in getting into the prominent areas.

She will be looking to use her unpredictable style to be a thorn for the Mongolian defenders and cause them to be dragged out of their natural positions. Kalyan will need to be accurate with her crosses and final passes to set up big chances, and will also look to get the ball in key scoring areas to enhance India’s goal threat.

Did you know?

• Soumya Gugoloth was the highest-scoring Indian player in the 2024-25 Indian Women’s League campaign with nine goals.
• Mongolia Women’s head coach Sandagdorjiin Erdenebat also worked as the head coach of the Mongolia men’s team from 2011-2014, winning two of seven matches in charge.
• Elangbam Panthoi Chanu kept seven clean sheets in the 2024-25 IWL campaign, the most for any goalkeeper.

Telecast

The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers between India and Mongolia will take place at the 700th Anniversary Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand on Monday, 23 June 2025. It will kick off at 2:30 PM IST. The match will be shown on the Changsuek YouTube channel and on the Thai Women’s Football Facebook Page.

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