Crispin Chettri, the head coach of the Indian senior women's football team, has expressed his satisfaction with the blend of youth and experience within the squad as they gear up for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers. The Blue Tigresses are set to begin their campaign in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where they will compete in Group B against Mongolia, Timor-Leste, Iraq, and the host nation, Thailand.

Chettri's assessment comes after a six-week training camp at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru. During this period, the team engaged in two friendly matches against Uzbekistan, providing valuable preparation despite losing both encounters 1-0. He acknowledged the unfortunate injuries to key forwards like Karishma Shirvoikar, Sandhiya Ranganathan, and Renu, but highlighted that the current squad boasts more experienced players compared to the Pink Ladies Cup squad from February.

The coach emphasized the importance of physical conditioning and mental sharpness in the lead-up to the tournament. This strategic preparation, facilitated by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), allowed the players to acclimatize to the hot and humid conditions in Thailand. Chettri brings a reputation for tactical discipline and youth development, making this tournament a critical test of his ability to lead this young and ambitious squad.

India's journey to the AFC Women's Asian Cup has been challenging. The team last participated in the tournament in 2003. When India hosted the 2022 edition, a COVID-19 outbreak forced their withdrawal after just one game. Chettri and his team are determined to secure their place in the 2026 Asian Cup in Australia and also the first stage of qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup and become the first Indian squad to qualify for the AFC Women's Asian Cup via the qualifiers' route.

The Blue Tigresses' schedule includes a match against Mongolia on June 23, followed by Timor-Leste on June 29, Iraq on July 2, and finally, a crucial match against Thailand on July 5. Only the group winner will progress to the 2026 Asian Cup finals. While India has a history of success in the erstwhile Asian Women's Championship, including runners-up finishes in 1979 and 1983, the focus is now on creating new history in the 21st century.

With an average age of just 23.6 years, this is one of the youngest squads India has fielded at this level. Chettri noted that while there isn't much information available about Mongolia, Timor-Leste, and Iraq, the team does have some knowledge of Thailand, having analyzed their recent matches against Nepal.

The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers include 34 teams divided into eight groups. The top six teams at the Asian Cup 2026 will also qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027.