AIFF likely to extend Amelia Valverde’s contract despite India’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup exit

Amelia Valverde’s current contract ends this month.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is likely to continue with head coach Amelia Valverde despite India’s disappointing campaign at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, AIFF officials remain satisfied with the Costa Rican’s work during the tournament. Although the Indian women’s national team failed to secure a single point and exited in the group stage, the federation believes Valverde deserves more time to build the team.

Valverde’s current contract ends this month. However, the federation is expected to review her performance before making a final call on a possible extension.

Amelia likely to extend her stay

The 39-year-old coach will submit a detailed report on the tournament in the coming days. The document will then be examined by the AIFF technical leadership, including technical committee chairman IM Vijayan, director of national teams Subrata Pal, and technical director Syed Sabir Pasha.

Following that review, the AIFF executive committee will take the final decision regarding her future.

Meanwhile, India are set to participate in a FIFA invitational tournament in Africa next month. Therefore, the federation hopes to resolve the coaching situation before that competition.

There could also be discussions regarding the future of assistant coaches Crispin Chhetri and Priya PV. Valverde brought two Costa Rican assistants during the Asian Cup campaign in Australia, yet the federation has not ruled out keeping Indian coaches within the support staff.

The team returned to India on Wednesday after the tournament. However, goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu remained behind after suffering a concussion during India’s 1–3 defeat to Chinese Taipei.

India’s problems during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup

India’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup campaign exposed several structural and tactical issues. The team conceded 16 goals in three matches and failed to secure a single point in the group stage.

Preparation proved to be a major concern. Before the tournament, India mainly played friendly matches against lower-division European clubs during a training tour in Turkey. Although those games produced positive results, they did not replicate the intensity of international competition.

Another issue was the late appointment of Valverde. The AIFF hired her less than two months before the tournament, leaving very little time to implement tactical ideas or properly prepare the squad.

As a result, the team occasionally looked uncertain on the pitch. Some players appeared uncomfortable in unfamiliar positions, while the overall tactical structure lacked consistency against stronger Asian teams.

Also Read: Five reasons why India failed to qualify for the quarterfinal of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026

Should Amelia Valverde continue as India’s coach?

Yes, continuing with Valverde could benefit the team in the long run.

Firstly, she arrived only weeks before the Asian Cup. Expecting immediate results in international football is unrealistic. Coaches usually require several training camps and friendly matches to shape a team.

Secondly, a long-term approach could finally bring stability to the Indian women’s setup. Constant coaching changes often disrupt progress and prevent players from adapting to a consistent system.

Finally, Valverde’s international experience could help India modernise its tactical approach. With proper preparation time and stronger, friendly opposition, she may still guide the team towards improvement before the next major tournaments.

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