Delhi, 29 July (H.S.): The Indian football team faces a challenging group in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, drawn with Japan, Vietnam, and Chinese Taipei in Group C. Midfielder Sangita Basfore, who scored twice against Thailand in the qualifiers, was among the draw assistants, sharing the stage with Australia’s Tameka Yallop and Jeon Yu-gyeong from South Korea. India is the lowest-ranked team in this group, positioned at world No. 70, while Japan ranks seventh, Vietnam is 37th, and Chinese Taipei is at 42nd.

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup, the oldest women’s international football tournament in Asia, occurs every four years. The 2026 tournament comprises 12 teams divided into three groups of four. Group A includes Australia, South Korea, Iran, and the Philippines, while Group B features North Korea, China, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan. The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarter-finals.

India was placed in pot 4 for the draw, which included Iran and Bangladesh, determined by FIFA rankings published on June 12. The Indian team qualified for the tournament by leading Group B in the qualifiers, achieving victories over Thailand, Iraq, Timor-Leste, and Mongolia. Hosts Australia and the top three finishers from the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup—China, South Korea, and Japan—secured automatic qualifications.

This will mark India’s first appearance in the tournament since 2003. Although they hosted the 2022 edition, they had to withdraw due to a COVID-19 outbreak within their squad. Historically, India has achieved commendable results, finishing as runners-up in 1980 and 1983, and claiming third place in 1981.

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place from March 1 to 21 in Australia, with matches set to occur in Sydney, Perth, and Gold Coast. China, the defending champions, hold the record for the most titles, having claimed victory nine times in the tournament’s history.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar