India in Pot 4 of AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 draw; know potential opponents

India made history by qualifying for AFC Asian Cup 2026 after 23 years

The Indian Women’s football team, led by Crispin Chettri, delivered a performance for the ages after they emerged as the table toppers of Group B and qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.

The Blue Tigress had a dominating campaign in the qualifiers as they edged past teams like Mongolia, Iraq, Timor-Leste, and Thailand to make it to the continent’s premier competition after a long wait of 23 years.

A long camp coupled with an optimistic approach has left India on the brink of a historic World Cup appearance. Half of the teams in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup will also be the direct entrants to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.

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To qualify directly for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, India will need to finish among the top two in their group. Their World Cup hopes will remain alive through the intercontinental playoffs, even if they manage to finish among the top two or third-ranked teams in the competition.

In this article, we shall take a closer look at how the draws of the AFC Asian Cup 2026 unfold and who India’s potential opponents could be in the group stage.

Also Read: IWL preponed; 83-day camp for Indian women’s team before AFC Asian Cup 2026

Who can be India’s potential opponents in the group stage?

All twelve teams have been divided into four pots based on their latest FIFA rankings. Three groups of four teams each will be drawn in the AFC Asian Cup draw, which is scheduled to take place on 29 July 2025. India, ranked 70th, has been placed in Pot 4.

A team each from Pot 1,2, and 3 will be drawn along with the Blue Tigresses in the upcoming group stage fixtures.

From Pot 1, either of the hosts, Australia (FIFA Ranking – 15), Japan (FIFA Ranking – 7), or the Democratic Republic of Korea (FIFA Ranking – 9) will join India. Regardless of whoever joins them, the Blue Tigress will need more than a miracle to even secure a point against the Asian giants.

From Pot 2, reigning champions China (FIFA Ranking – 17), South Korea (FIFA Ranking – 21), or Vietnam (FIFA Ranking – 37) will be drawn. India will hope to see Vietnam join them in their group.

From Pot 3, the Philippines (FIFA Ranking – 41), Chinese Taipei (FIFA Ranking – 42) or Uzbekistan (FIFA Ranking – 51) will be drawn alongside India as their last group opponent.

An uphill task lies ahead for the Blue Tigresses

Despite the Indian Women’s football team’s historic campaign in the Qualifier, the Blue Tigresses have an uphill task ahead in the AFC Asian Cup to cherish their World Cup 2027 dreams.

Mathematically, they will be the lowest-seeded team in their group. They will have a contrasting difference with their opponents in the FIFA rankings. It would be an almost impossible task to even clinch a draw against the Pot 1 teams.

India will need to put their strong foot forward against opponents from Pot 2 and Pot 3 to secure a direct World Cup spot or even to make it to the quarter-finals.

Though an immovable mountain lies ahead for Crispin Chhetri’s girls, they have defied all odds previously to reach where they are presently. It is India’s golden chance to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The good news is that there’s plenty of time to prepare strongly and play international friendlies as a buildup before facing the best teams in Asia.

AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Draw Pots

• Pot 1: Australia (15), Japan (7), North Korea (9)
• Pot 2: China (17), South Korea (21), Vietnam (37)
• Pot 3: Philippines (41), Chinese Taipei (42), Uzbekistan (51)
• Pot 4: India (70), Bangladesh (128), TBD (Group A winners)

When is the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Draw?

The draw for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 is scheduled to be held on 29th July 2025 at the Sydney Town Hall in Sydney. The draw will be streamed live on the AFC’s official YouTube channel. The time for the draw is yet to be fixed.

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