India Women’s Football Team Set for European Tour Ahead of AFC Asian Cup

The Indian senior women’s national football team is set to travel to Europe later this month for a series of friendly matches as part of its preparations for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The tour, scheduled during the FIFA international window from November 24 to December 2, will mark a significant step in the team’s build-up toward next year’s continental challenge.

A Sportstar repirt stated that India is expected to play two to three matches during the tour, though specific venues and opponents are yet to be finalized. Kosovo, currently ranked 93rd in the FIFA rankings, is among the potential opponents being considered. India, ranked 63rd, is reportedly targeting teams positioned in the 80s bracket rather than higher-ranked sides, with the aim of building momentum and confidence ahead of the Asian Cup.

The Blue Tigresses qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup for the first time on merit earlier this year, after topping their qualifying group in impressive fashion. The team went unbeaten in the campaign, sealing their berth with a crucial win over higher-ranked Thailand in the final match. The continental tournament will be hosted by Australia in March next year.

However, results since qualification have not gone in India’s favor. The team endured back-to-back defeats in October — a 0-2 loss to Iran and a 1-2 defeat to Nepal — during a Tri-Nation friendly competition held in Shillong. A second-string Indian side later faced Nepal again in Gangtok in an exhibition match that ended 1-1 before losing 0-3 on penalties, marking the national team’s first-ever appearance in Sikkim.

Currently, the squad is training at the National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata under the supervision of the coaching staff. The focus of the camp has been on improving fitness, tactical organization, and goal-scoring efficiency — areas that have troubled the side in recent outings.

The upcoming European tour is expected to provide much-needed international exposure and match experience against physically strong and technically sound European opposition. It will also serve as an opportunity for fringe players to stake their claim in the final squad for the Asian Cup.

For the Blue Tigresses, the journey to Europe represents not only preparation but also a test of resilience as they aim to return to winning ways and carry renewed confidence into their biggest continental challenge in recent history.