Bengaluru, May 18 (H.S.): Indian men’s football team captain Sunil Chhetri visited the training camp of the Indian women’s football team in Bengaluru. During this visit, he spoke with the players who are preparing for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers scheduled for next month and inspired them. The players presented Sunil Chhetri with a jersey signed by all the team members.

The senior women’s national team is currently training at the Padukone-Dravid Center for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru. The team will also play two FIFA women’s international friendly matches against Uzbekistan on May 29 and June 3.

The All India Football Federation stated that this was not the first time Chhetri had met with the women’s team players, but he expressed surprise at seeing many new faces in the camp. Chhetri said it was an amazing experience. Since the last time I met this team, not many old faces remain, which shows how much older I have become. There are many young players, and I have received very good feedback about them from the head coach.

He added, Everyone seemed happy. They have some good friendly matches against Uzbekistan coming up and then they will play in the Asian Cup qualifiers. I wish them the best. I only want them to stay happy, feel comfortable with each other, and enjoy their training.

The Indian women’s team, part of Group B, will begin its AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifying campaign on June 23 against Mongolia in Chiang Mai, Thailand, followed by matches against Timor-Leste (June 29), Iraq (July 2), and host Thailand (July 5).

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar