The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced a reward of USD 50,000 (approximately ₹42.75 lakh) for the Indian Senior Women's National Team (WNT) following their historic qualification for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026. This marks the first time the Blue Tigresses have qualified for the prestigious tournament through the qualifiers.
The Blue Tigresses secured their place in the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup after an impressive, undefeated run in the qualifiers held in Thailand. They won all four of their matches, showcasing their dominance and teamwork. India started the campaign with a resounding 13-0 victory over Mongolia, followed by a 4-0 win against Timor-Leste and a 5-0 victory against Iraq. The final match was a virtual playoff against the host nation, Thailand, which India won 2-1, securing their qualification. Sangita Basfore's brace in the crucial match against Thailand secured the victory and a place in the Asian Cup. She scored in the 29th and 74th minutes, while Thailand responded with a goal from Chatchawan Rodhong in the 47th minute.
India last qualified directly for the main draw of the Women's AFC Asian Cup in 2003. They participated in the 2022 edition as hosts but had to withdraw due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the squad. This year, the qualification was earned purely on merit.
AIFF's recognition of the team's achievement underscores the growing importance of women's football in India. The federation is committed to providing the team with the best possible preparation for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026, which will be held in Australia in March 2026. This includes extended training camps and high-quality international exposure.
In recent years, the AIFF, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), has launched several initiatives to strengthen the grassroots and youth structures in women's football. The ASMITA Women's Football Leagues have seen significant participation, with 155 leagues conducted across the country from 2023 to 2025 at the U13, U15, and U17 levels. Player participation in these leagues has increased from 6,305 in 2023-24 to 8,658 in 2024-25. Consequently, the number of registered women footballers in India has increased by 232% over the past year.
The team's preparation for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers included a 53-day national camp in Bengaluru. During this camp, the squad participated in local practice matches and two FIFA Women's International Friendlies against Uzbekistan, who also qualified for the continental tournament.
This historic qualification and the AIFF's reward highlight the progress and potential of women's football in India. With continued investment and support, the Blue Tigresses aim to make a significant impact at the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 and move closer to their dream of qualifying for the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2027.
