The Indian Women’s National Football Team is gearing up for an important international assignment on home soil as the Tri-Nations Women’s International Friendly Series kicks off this October at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.
The event will feature India, Iran, and Nepal, bringing together three competitive Asian sides in a tightly-packed week of football from October 21 to 27. The series will see India face Iran on October 21 (6 PM IST) and Nepal on October 27 (6 PM IST), with Iran and Nepal meeting on October 24. All matches will be played at the same venue, offering fans in Meghalaya a rare chance to witness back-to-back international women’s fixtures in one of India’s most passionate footballing regions.
Building Momentum After AFC Qualification
This Tri-Nation series marks India’s first FIFA international window since the Blue Tigresses sealed their spot at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 earlier this year. The team, under Head Coach Crispin Chettri, will use this window to test new combinations, assess match fitness, and strengthen tactical cohesion ahead of their continental campaign in Australia.
Speaking before the team’s camp in Shillong, Chettri emphasized the value of match rhythm over training isolation.
“This series is crucial for us,” he said. “Playing teams like Iran and Nepal gives our players real competitive minutes. It’s about refining our shape and giving young players the confidence to perform against international opposition.”
India’s squad blends experience and youth, with stalwarts like Ashalata Devi, Sweety Devi, and Dangmei Grace expected to guide emerging talents including Bala Devi, Renu, and Anju Tamang. After mixed results in recent friendlies against Uzbekistan and Russia, this tournament presents the perfect opportunity to regain momentum on home turf.
Hosting the Tri-Nations in Shillong is both symbolic and strategic. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, freshly upgraded with a ₹53-crore refurbishment, has been cleared by the AFC for international competition. The venue holds a capacity of 15,000 and carries historical significance it hosted the 2016 South Asian Games final, where India defeated Nepal 4-0 to claim gold.
For Meghalaya, the event is a continuation of its growing role in Indian football. The state government, led by Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Wailadmiki Shylla, has actively championed the return of international matches to the Northeast.
The home crowd is expected to turn out in force. Shillong’s football culture rooted in community clubs, school leagues, and a deep connection to the sport promises an electric atmosphere, particularly for the India–Nepal clash.
The Opponents: Iran and Nepal
Iran, ranked 70th in the FIFA standings, comes into the series as an AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifier, having topped their group in the qualification stage. Coached by Marziyeh Jafari, the Persian Queens are known for their disciplined defensive structure and compact counter-attacking style. Key players like Sara Didar and Negin Zandi bring creativity and balance to a team that has grown steadily over the past two years.
For Nepal, ranked 89th, the Shillong series is another chance to assert their regional credentials. The Nepali side narrowly missed qualification for the 2026 Asian Cup after falling to Uzbekistan in a playoff but impressed with dominant wins over Laos (9-0) and Sri Lanka (8-0). Their meeting with India on October 27 carries added emotional weight it will be their first encounter since Nepal’s 1-0 victory over India in the 2022 SAFF Championship semi-final, which ended India’s long-standing dominance in South Asia.
That defeat remains a motivational spark for the Blue Tigresses. A victory in Shillong would not only settle regional scores but also restore India’s confidence ahead of continental competition.
A Balanced Field of Contenders
The beauty of this tri-nation format lies in its balance. India (ranked 63rd), Iran (70th), and Nepal (89th) sit within a competitive band where every fixture offers ranking implications and meaningful tactical challenges. For India, Iran provides the perfect continental test strong enough to stretch their defensive organization but not insurmountable. Nepal, meanwhile, poses a psychological and emotional test as a regional rival eager to prove their progress was no fluke.
The fixture order also benefits India’s preparation: a technical contest against Iran to begin, followed by a passionate regional derby to close. With a six-day gap between the two matches, Coach Chettri will have sufficient time to rotate players and evaluate performances before fielding his strongest lineup against Nepal.
What’s at Stake
Beyond rankings or results, the Shillong Tri-Nations is about restoring rhythm and credibility to the Indian women’s football program. The Blue Tigresses have made undeniable strides over the past 18 months qualifying for the Asian Cup, expanding domestic pathways through the Indian Women’s League, and introducing a new technical support system under AIFF’s “Vision 2047” plan.
However, progress demands consistency. The Shillong friendlies are designed to be part of a sustained effort to ensure India doesn’t just qualify for major tournaments but competes strongly within them.
A successful showing here both in terms of performance and organization could also strengthen India’s case to host more women’s international events in the future. With the infrastructure, fan base, and governmental support all aligned, Meghalaya stands poised to become a recurring venue for women’s football in the country.
When the Blue Tigresses walk out on October 21 against Iran, it won’t just mark the start of another friendly it will symbolize continuity. After months of speculation and administrative uncertainty, Indian women’s football returns to the pitch, where it truly belongs. Two matches in seven days might seem minor in the grand picture of world football, but for India, they represent crucial building blocks on the road to the Asian Cup. Against Iran, they’ll test their structure. Against Nepal, they’ll test their pride.
And for the fans in Shillong long starved of international women’s football it’s a celebration: of the sport, of the players, and of a region that continues to breathe life into India’s footballing heartbeat.
Fixtures:
🗓️ 21 Oct, 6 PM IST – India vs Iran
🗓️ 24 Oct – Iran vs Nepal
🗓️ 27 Oct, 6 PM IST – India vs Nepal
📍 Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong
Follow live updates and coverage on the IndiaSportsHub App.
