India women's football team scramble for match kits in Australia days before AFC Women's Asian Cup opener

India will begin their AFC Women’s Asian Cup campaign on 4th March.

The Indian women’s football team faced an unexpected setback in Australia just days before their opening match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. The jerseys sent by the All India Football Federation were manufactured for age-group teams and failed to fit nearly 80% of the 26-member senior squad.

India are set to begin their campaign against Vietnam women’s national football team in Perth on March 4. However, instead of focusing solely on tactics and recovery, players had to urgently address a basic logistical failure just before the tournament began.

Delayed shipment adds to players’ concerns

According to reports on TOI, the kit consignment from Delhi was delayed due to permission-related issues. The delay forced team officials to request additional time from organisers for mandatory equipment checks and official photoshoots. When the shipment finally arrived at the team hotel two days before the opener, players immediately noticed that most jerseys were undersized and unusable.

Senior players, including Sweety Devi, Manisha Kalyan, Grace Dangmei, Sangita Basfore, and others, formally wrote to the AIFF seeking immediate intervention.

In their signed letter, the players highlighted how repeated kit-related issues disrupted preparation and impacted morale. They stressed that representing India on the international stage demands professional standards, including properly fitted match and training apparel, especially at a continental tournament.

“Over the past days, players and staff have already faced challenges due to the lack of appropriate clothing during preparation,” the players said in a signed letter to the AIFF, “The arrival of incorrect match kits at this crucial stage has further affected morale and disrupted our focus in the final days leading up to the match. Representing India on the international stage requires professional standards, including properly fitted and appropriate match and training apparel.”

Also Read: AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026: India’s SWOT Analysis

AIFF arranges scrappy emergency solution in Perth

Following the complaint, the AIFF acted swiftly and sourced match kits locally. The federation procured 55 jerseys, two full sets in light blue and red, from an Italian manufacturer with available stock in Perth.

A senior AIFF official confirmed that the national women’s team currently does not have an official kit partner and assured that correctly-sized kits, complete with names and numbers, would be ready a day before the match.

“We were told there is a problem with the jerseys since they were not fitting properly and we addressed the issue,” said a senior AIFF official, adding that the national team does not have a kit partner. “The kit will be available a day before the game (with names and numbers). We have made immediate provision of correct-sized match and training kits for all players and coaching staff.”

Despite the disruption, the players reaffirmed their commitment to the national cause. India have qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on sporting merit for the first time since 2003 and now have a realistic chance of booking a spot at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with eight teams from the tournament eligible to qualify.

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