Amelia Valverde likely to join Indian Women’s team coaching setup ahead of AFC Women’s Asian Cup

India qualified for AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 for the first time on merit.

As the build-up to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 starts, Indian women’s football is set for a big boost with former FIFA Women’s World Cup coach Amelia Valverde likely to join the Blue Tigresses’ coaching setup ,along with a goalkeeping coach and a strength and conditioning coach.

Amelia is likely to sign a short-term deal with AIFF as the mentor/coach ahead of the upcoming AFC Asian Cup; the signing is set to be completed very soon.

An AIFF official on Wednesday, speaking to TOI, said, “The idea is not to undermine Crispin Chettri. He will continue to coach the side, and AIFF acknowledges and appreciates his effort, and that of the team, in qualifying for the Asian Cup finals for the first time on merit.”

“Since this is a first for Crispin Chettri and the players, AIFF thought the team could do with the experience of someone who has been part of two World Cup campaigns. Given her experience, her inputs from the bench and off the pitch could help.”

Amelia Valverde’s managerial career and achievements

Amelia Valverde brings a proven record at both international and club levels. She became head coach of the Costa Rica women’s national team in 2015, leading them to their first FIFA Women’s World Cup and establishing Costa Rica as a regular on the international stage.

She also guided the team to direct qualification for the 2023 Women’s World Cup with a strong showing at the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship.

Beyond World Cup qualification, Valverde led Costa Rica to gold at the 2017 Central American Games, silver at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games, and bronze at the 2019 Pan American Games. At club level, she guided C.F. Monterrey to back-to-back Liga MX Femenil titles in 2024.

Amelia Valverde’s coaching excellence has been widely recognised. In 2016, she was named CONCACAF Female Coach of the Year at just 29 for leading Costa Rica’s national team.

Her success continued in Mexico, winning the Balón de Oro as the best female manager for guiding C.F. Monterrey to the 2024 Clausura title, and she also became the first Costa Rican in the IFFHS top 10 Women’s World Best Club Coach rankings.

Journey ahead for the Blue Tigresses

With Amelia Valverde set to add her expertise to the coaching setup, the Blue Tigresses are preparing for a challenging campaign at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026. Drawn in Group C, India will face Vietnam on March 4, Japan on March 7, and Chinese Taipei on March 10, testing themselves against some of Asia’s top teams.

India ranked the lowest in their group and faces a tough challenge, as the top six teams at the Asian Cup will earn a spot in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. If India progresses from their group and reaches the quarterfinals, they will secure a place in the intercontinental play-offs, keeping their World Cup dreams very much alive.

Ahead of the tournament, the squad will also take part in a series of pre‑season friendlies in Antalya, Türkiye, providing crucial match practice and a chance to implement tactical adjustments before the continental stage.

They will play closed-door friendly matches against three European clubs — FC Metalist 1925 Kharkiv (Ukraine) on January 18, FC Zürich Frauen (Switzerland) on January 21, and FC Schlieren (Switzerland) on January 24.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.