India Women’s Football Team to Begin AFC Asian Cup 2026 Campaign Against Vietnam in Perth

The Indian women’s national football team is set to launch its AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 campaign with a crucial opening clash against Vietnam in Perth, Australia. Scheduled at the Perth Rectangular Stadium, this match marks a historic moment as India qualified for the tournament on merit for the first time.

Led by captain Sweety Devi and guided by newly appointed head coach Amelia Valverde, the Blue Tigresses are determined to put past setbacks behind them. Their withdrawal from the 2022 edition was a major disappointment, but a strong performance in last year’s qualifiers has reignited hopes of progressing further this time.

India faces a challenging Group C that includes Japan (two-time Asian Cup champions) and Chinese Taipei, making the Vietnam fixture a vital opportunity to secure early points and build momentum toward World Cup 2027 qualification.

Key Highlights

• Tournament: AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
• Opening Match: India vs Vietnam in Perth.
• Historic Achievement: First-ever qualification on merit.
• Leadership: Captain Sweety Devi, Coach Amelia Valverde.
• Group Rivals: Japan and Chinese Taipei.
• Strategic Goal: Strong start to boost World Cup 2027 hopes.

Sources: The Morung Express, United News of India, Outlook India, ESPN, The CSR Journal