AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026: India begins a journey Down Under against Vietnam

The wait is over. The Indian women’s national team, after four years of agony, is finally ready to begin its AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 journey against the Vietnam women’s national football team at the Perth Rectangular Stadium in Perth, Australia, on Wednesday.

The World Cup dream for the Blue Tigresses came to a halt in their own backyard as the team withdrew from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022. However, the stellar performances in last year’s qualifiers have now given the team a second chance. This is the first time that India has qualified for the Asian Cup on merit.

Amelia Valverde, who was appointed as the head coach of the Indian women’s team earlier this year, put heartbreak aside. «That was four years ago. However, there are no coincidences in life and we are back here again with the chance to prove ourselves. This is another opportunity for us to represent our team in the best way possible,» said the Costa Rican.

The tournament offers the twelve participating countries the opportunity to progress to the Women’s World Cup, as the four semi-finalists will receive direct access to the tournament to be held in Brazil in 2027. Two of the four losing quarterfinalists will compete to determine the two remaining direct qualifiers from Asia. The remaining two teams will advance to the Play-off Tournament, which could also give them access to the biggest competition in the world.

The Blue Tigresses, 67th in the FIFA rankings, have had a 52-day camp on three continents in preparation for the Asian Cup.

Valverde said: «We have been working very hard in recent weeks and the motivation within the team is high to achieve the best possible result for India.»

While they started camp in Gurugram and then shifted their base to Antalya, Türkiye, the Blue Tigresses arrived in Perth three weeks ahead of the Asian Cup as part of their acclimatization.

«The preparations have been very good so far. We have been here for the last three weeks, which has been very useful for the team,» said Valverde. “We know our responsibilities, and that is to put the best version of ourselves on the field.”

ALSO READ: A mother’s faith, a daughter’s dream: Kaviya aims for World Cup qualification

The head coach of the Blue Tigresses had respect for the opponent during the press conference before the match.

“It is a team with a lot of quality because they played the last World Cup and they have been with the same coach for a long time and have played many games under him,” said Valverde.

«We are well aware of the kind of opposition we are up against. But our job is to showcase the best version of the Indian team and ensure there is no doubt that we will compete and give our best,» she said.

Indian captain Sweety Devi Ngangbam was one of the players who experienced the heartbreak in 2022. However, she echoed her coach’s sentiments about the Asian Cup.

«We have prepared very well. The squad is ready and we are fully focused on delivering our best performance at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup,» she said. «We came here three weeks early and I think it was a good decision by the federation to send us here early. It was an advantage to adapt to the weather, and we are now ready for the challenges.»

Vietnam head coach Mai Duc Chung was cautious, yet optimistic about the fate of his team Down Under. “We have had a good preparation, but we will face strong teams,” said Mai. «We have to try to match them. What we have prepared, we will show on the field tomorrow.»

Published on March 3, 2026