The wait has come to an end. The Indian senior women's national team, after four years of hurt, are finally ready to begin their AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 journey against Vietnam at the Perth Rectangular Stadium on Wednesday.
One day, Sushmita Lepcha found herself added to the Indian women's national team WhatsApp group. There had been no prior conversation telling her she had been selected. For a few seconds, she was confused.
At the very start of last year's qualifying campaign, while the immediate objective for the India women's national team was to reach the Asian Cup, Sangita's focus stretched one step further. For her, the Asian Cup was never the destination. It was the gateway to the FIFA Women's World Cup.
India were the first among the 11 visiting teams to reach Australia ahead of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026, touching down in Perth on February 11th, three weeks before their first game against Vietnam on March 4.
The Indian senior women's team defeated the Australian side Perth RedStar FC 5-0 in a closed-door friendly match at Dalmatinac Park in Perth, Australia, on Thursday, as per an AIFF media release.
The Indian senior women's football team will play two friendly matches against Australian club sides Perth RedStar FC and Perth Azzurri on February 19 and 23, 2026, respectively, in Perth, Australia.
The India U17 men's team defeated Russian club side FC Spartak Moscow 4-2 in their third friendly match in Turkey at the Fanatic Tour Serik Sport Centre in Antalya, on Sunday, according to a release.
India were drawn with Uzbekistan, Australia and DPR Korea in Group D of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 in the Final Draw held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday, according to the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
The Final Draw for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 and the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2026 will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, according to the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
The India U17 men's team lost 0-1 to Turkiye in the first of two friendly matches against the hosts at the Emirhan Sport Centre in Manavgat, Antalya, on Tuesday.