India vs Russia preview, lineups, team news | FIFA Women's International Friendly
The Blue Tigresses host Russia in Kolkata for the second time.
The Indian women’s football team will look to get back to winning ways when they face the Russian women’s team in their second international friendly of the October (2026) window on Sunday (11 October 2026).
A thrilling battle is set to ensue when these two sides meet at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan, with Crispin Chettri’s side eager to get revenge for their disappointing recent loss – while the Russian side look to maintain their surging form with another commanding win.
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The Stakes
India
The Indian women’s team earned a reality check with a 0-4 thrashing to Russia in their recent friendly, snapping their five-match winning streak as well. Crispin Chettri might not have his strongest squad available right now, with many key first-team players not at his disposal, but he needs to do best with whatever options are available.
He’ll probably look to make a few tactical changes from the last game to ensure that the Blue Tigresses are defensively much sturdier than the last game and are able to stop the Russian side form dominating proceedings as they did in the previous friendly.
He’ll also need his players to be much more brave and sharper in the final third to take the fight to the Russian side. A big win or even a fighting draw can be a major morale booster for the Blue Tigresses, but suffering another crushing loss at home would be particularly gutting.
Russia
The Russian women’s football team were able to maintain their impressive form in 2026 with their win over India, and they aim to cap off their visit to the country with another compelling win. Yuri Krasnozhan will be eager to ensure that his side can maintain their surging momentum levels in this upcoming clash and will urge his players not to be overly complacent against the Indian women.
Russia will aim to continue to play innovative, incisive attacking football to put the hosts under pressure and improve their overall chemistry together as well.
They’ll, of course, need to be defensively mobile and compact to frustrate the Blue Tigresses and dictate the tempo of the game. Another big win for the Russian women’s team will definitely help their confidence levels, but suffering a possible loss would be particularly damaging after the last game.
Team News
Crispin Chettri should have all the players at his disposal from the previous game.
Yuri Krasnozhan is also likely to have a fully-fit unit for this upcoming clash.
Head-to-Head Record
Matches played – 3
India women wins – 0
Russia women wins – 3
Draws – 0
Predicted Lineups
India (4-2-3-1)
Monalisha Devi (GK), Purnima Kumari, Juli Kishan, Ranjana Chanu, Shubhangi Singh, Sangita Basfore, Sanfida Nongrum, Priyadharshini, Cindy Colney, Lynda Kom, Renu
Russia (4-2-3-1)
Selina Natalia (GK), Kuropatkina Veronika, Semenova Elizaveta, Morozov Natalia, Butkevich Vladislava, Sheina Lana, Stistunova Lana, Smirnova Nadezdha, Iukjaeva Polina, Acholan Marine, Kira Petukhova
Players to Watchout
Sanfida Nongrum (India)
Sanfida Nongrum has had an inspiring breakthrough year for the India women’s team in 2026, and she is eager to continue taking major strides in the upcoming clash against Russia.
Nongrum, who scored India’s first goal at the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, has proven her ability to be an unpredictable threat in the opposition half. She needs to use her clever instincts to be a thorn for the opposition players, nailing her link-up play and off-the-ball movement to get the ball into the danger zones for the Blue Tigresses.
The 21-year-old midfielder will not only have to work hard defensively, but also be much bolder when it comes to carrying the ball forward.
She has to be clever with her final product, putting in much more dangerous passes into the final third and also looking to capitalize on any goal-scoring opportunities she gets by putting them away efficiently.
Kira Petukhova (Russia)
Kira Petukova was able to make a significant impact for the Russian women in their previous clash, scoring twice in the space of 20 minutes after coming on in the second half. She looks primed to start the upcoming friendly against the Blue Tigresses and will look to maintain her dominant form for her national side.
Petukhova will aim to continue being a thorn in the final third for Russia, being smart with her movement in the opposition half to confuse the Indian backline and cause them to be disrupted.
She will also look to time her runs perfectly, positioning herself in the danger zones to get at the end of chances and converting them clinically to inspire her side to another big win.
Did you know?
- India’s 0-4 loss to Russia was their worst at home in a women’s football international clash since losing 0-3 to South Korea women in 2007.
- The Russian women’s side have won four of their five matches in 2026, scoring 11 goals in that period.
- Six India women players received their international debuts in the recent clash against Russia women.
Telecast Details
The India vs Russia international women’s friendly will be held at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Sunday, 11 October (2026).
The match will kick off at 6 PM IST. It will be live streamed on YouTube.
When will India play Russia in the second friendly?
The India vs Russia international women’s friendly will be held at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Sunday, 11 October (2026).
Who is the head coach of Indian women’s football team?
Crispin Chettri is the head coach of Indian women’s football team.
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