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Indian Women’s Football Team Creates History with AFC Asian Cup 2026 Qualification

In a moment that brought both cheers and tears, the Indian women’s football team has created history by directly qualifying for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. This is the first time India has made it to the tournament purely on merit. Not as hosts. Not by chance. But through hard-earned victories and sheer determination. It’s more than just a win—it’s an emotional journey of struggle, survival and success.

India’s Emotional Moment in Thailand

When the final whistle blew at the Chiang Mai stadium in Thailand, Sangita Basfore collapsed on the ground—crying, not just with joy, but with years of pain, pressure and passion all released at once. Her brace led India to a 2-1 win over a strong Thailand side, and the rest of the team rushed to her, hugging, crying and celebrating one of the proudest moments in Indian women’s football history.

Why This Qualification Means So Much

This isn’t just about qualifying for a football tournament. It’s about proving a point—after years of being ignored, mistreated and forgotten, these 23 women stood tall and gave the country a reason to hope.

They qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, which will be held in Australia. And here’s the bigger picture—eight of the twelve teams in that tournament will qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. That means India is one step away from the biggest stage in football.

A Painful Past That Cannot Be Ignored

To understand the weight of this victory, you need to know what these women went through:

  • January 2022: India was thrown out of the Asian Cup due to a Covid outbreak after playing just one match. The players were heartbroken.
  • June 2022: U-17 coach Alex Ambrose was suspended for misconduct. The scandal left a deep scar on the team.
  • October 2022: The U-17 girls, including stars like Martina Thokchom and Hemam Shilky Devi, crashed out of the World Cup with three losses.
  • 2023: The Indian Women’s League (IWL) saw players waking up at 4 am, dealing with poor food and playing in harsh heat. The federation barely gave them a proper prize ceremony.
  • 2023-24: India kept losing—SAFF Championship, Asian Games, Olympic qualifiers—results were disappointing. Coaching changes were endless, with multiple names coming and going like a revolving door.

Yet, They Fought On

Even when their own federation seemed indifferent, the players never gave up. Manisha Kalyan became the first Indian to score in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Jyoti Chauhan, Soumya Gugoloth and others went abroad for trials. The rest stayed back and did what they could with the limited resources at home.

They never got the facilities or support they deserved. But they still showed up, trained, and dreamed.

Sangita Basfore’s Story of Strength

For Sangita, this win is even more personal. Back in 2022, an ACL injury kept her out of the Asian Cup. She also lost her father during her recovery. But she came back stronger. And in this crucial match against Thailand, she scored twice—once with a brilliant volley from outside the box, and then with a smart header. Her tears after the match said everything.

“I remembered Sunil Chhetri’s words: ‘Remember why you started playing football.’ This could be our last chance to go for the World Cup,” Sangita said after the game.

A True Team Effort

The entire team contributed. Whether it was the 13-0 win over Mongolia, the 5-0 against Iraq, or 4-0 over Timor Leste—India dominated the qualifiers. But beating Thailand was the real test. The Thai team had World Cup experience, better coaches and foreign-trained players. Still, India held on. Even when Thailand hit the post twice. Even when it looked like they would lose.

It was grit, heart and belief that won the game.

This Win Belongs to the Players, Not the Federation

Let’s be honest—this victory is not a success story for the AIFF (All India Football Federation). If anything, it highlights how these girls rose despite the system, not because of it. Poor planning, lack of support, and coaching instability never stopped them.

This win is for every girl who woke up at 4 am to train. For those who stayed silent during scandals. For those who kept playing with injuries, hunger and heartache.

Come Australia 2026… They Will Be Ready

With this qualification, India now heads to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia. A place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup is now a real dream. With players like Sangita, Manisha, Soumya, Shilky, Lynda and many more—India will give their all on the pitch.

They may carry their scars, but those scars have made them stronger. And now, they finally have a platform to show the world who they truly are.

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