Indian Women's Football Team Prepares for Historic AFC Asian Cup Challenge

The Indian women's football team, under the leadership of captain Sweety Devi, is preparing for their first-ever AFC Asian Cup, facing tough competition in Group C. With several friendly matches lined up, the team aims to build momentum ahead of the tournament. Sweety expresses her commitment to leading the team towards their ultimate goal of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup. The launch of the Zinc Football Girls Academy aims to further develop women's football in India, providing world-class training facilities and support. Discover more about this historic journey and the academy's impact on the future of women's sports in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 1, 2025, 02:02 IST

A New Chapter for Indian Women's Football

New Delhi, July 31: The captain of the Indian women's football team, Sweety Devi, expressed that participating in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup for the first time presents a significant challenge. However, she believes the team is well-prepared, with several friendly matches scheduled before the tournament kicks off in March next year.

On July 5, the Indian women's football team made history by defeating Thailand 2-1 at the Chiang Mai Stadium, marking their first qualification for this prestigious continental event.

As they gear up for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, the team faces a formidable Group C, which includes Japan, Vietnam, and Chinese Taipei. Captain Sweety emphasized the importance of performing well in the upcoming friendlies to ensure they are ready for the competition.

The Blue Tigresses will commence their campaign in Group C against Vietnam on March 4, 2026, followed by matches against Japan on March 7 and Chinese Taipei on March 10.

"This tournament will be a significant challenge for us, but we are prepared. We will engage in numerous friendly matches leading up to March, aiming to maintain our momentum," Sweety stated during the launch of the Zinc Football Girls Academy in Zawar, near Udaipur.

Reflecting on her role as captain, Sweety expressed her gratitude for the opportunity. "I am committed to performing well for India and striving towards our ultimate goal of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup. I believe we can achieve this milestone with hard work," she concluded.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will provide technical and strategic support to the academy, which aims to enhance women's football in the country.

Zinc Football is a unique grassroots initiative featuring a fully-equipped residential girls' football academy, incorporating world-class facilities and the innovative 'F-Cube technology' for football training.

This initiative seeks to advance Indian football while harnessing the power of the sport to uplift women, children, and communities.

The academy will initially enroll 20 girls from various states, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal, Haryana, and Jharkhand.