AIFF charts roadmap for women’s team after Asian Cup qualification

All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey on Friday held discussions with his colleagues to chart a roadmap for the national women’s team’s preparation plans for next year’s AFC Asian Cup in Australia. It was decided to organise the 2025-26 Indian Women’s League season, featuring eight teams playing 14 matches each, from September 2025 to January 2026..
The Indian U20 women’s team will also participate in the IWL. The AIFF said the earlier than usual scheduling would allow for ample preparation time in the lead-up to the Women’s Asian Cup, scheduled from March 1 to 21..
In addition, the Blue Tigresses will undergo 83 days of preparatory camps, conducted in three phases. This will include 10-12 international friendlies and five to seven matches with domestic teams. To effectively manage this calendar, the AIFF said it will engage with all IWL club owners to seek their support and cooperation in releasing players for the camps as and when required for the national interest.
With this plan, the AIFF said each player is projected to play at least 30 matches between August and February, combining both club and international commitments.
To facilitate uninterrupted national team preparation in the lead-up to the Asian Cup, it was also suggested that the senior women’s national football championship for the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy 2025-26 be scheduled after the conclusion of the continental tournament.
India secured a memorable qualification in the continental tournament finals with a thrilling 2-1 victory over hosts Thailand last Friday. The win helped India top Group B of the Qualifiers with a perfect record four wins from four matches.
For the first time the Blue Tigresses have booked a ticket to the continental championship through the qualification route.
Chaubey convened a meeting with the AIFF’s deputy secretary general, M. Satyanarayan, technical director Syed Sabir Pasha, director of national teams Subrata Paul, Indian women’s national team head coach Crispin Chettri and assistant coach Priya PV.