Crispin Chettri names final 23-member Indian women’s football team squad for AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers

The Indian women’s football team will start their campaign against Mongolia.

Indian women’s football team head coach Crispin Chettri has officially announced the 23-member squad that will represent the country in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers. The Blue Tigresses are set to kick off their campaign against Mongolia on June 23 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Grouped in Group B, the Indian women’s football team will face Mongolia, Timor Leste (June 29), Iraq (July 2), and hosts Thailand (July 5), with all matches taking place at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium. The group winners will qualify for the continental showpiece next year in Australia, which also serves as a gateway to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.

Indian women’s football team eye positive results in AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers

The team departed for Thailand on last Monday evening and spent a week acclimatising in Chiang Mai’s humid weather. The squad features a mix of experience and youth.

While Crispin Chettri expressed satisfaction with the six-week camp in Bengaluru, he acknowledged the absence of key forwards Karishma Shirvoikar, Sandhiya Ranganathan, and Renu due to injuries. India’s squad includes goalkeepers Panthoi Chanu, Monalisha Devi, and Payal Basude, while forwards like Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa, and Soumya Guguloth lead the attack

Indian women’s football team led by Crispin Chettri recently played two preparatory friendlies against Uzbekistan, narrowly losing both 0-1. Chettri rotated the squad heavily, giving five players their debuts and trying multiple combinations. Earlier they faced two back-to-back defeats in international friendlies against South Korea and Russia.

Crispin Chettri’s final squad for AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers

Goalkeepers: Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Moirangthem Monalisha Devi, Payal Basude.Defenders: Hemam Shilky Devi, Kiran Pisda, Martina Thokchom, Ngangbam Sweety Devi, Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi, Purnima Kumari, Sanju, Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu.Midfielders: Anju Tamang, Grace Dangmei, Karthika Angamuthu, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi, Priyadharshini Selladurai, Sangita Basfore.Forwards: Lynda Kom Serto, Malavika P, Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa, Rimpa Haldar, Soumya Guguloth.

Head Coach: Crispin ChettriAssistant Coach: Priya PVAssistant Coach: Nivetha RamadossGoalkeeper Coach: Mario Luis AguiarStrength and Conditioning Coach: Chelston Pinto

AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers Group B Schedule:

• June 23: Mongolia vs India (14:30 IST)
• June 29: India vs Timor Leste (14:30 IST)
• July 2: India vs Iraq (14:30 IST)
• July 5: Thailand vs India (18:00 IST)

Venue: 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium, Chiang Mai, ThailandLive stream: Thai Women’s Football Facebook Page and Changsuek YouTube Channel

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