Indian women’s football team head coach Crispin Chettri has announced a 25-member list of probables for the national camp ahead of the November FIFA International Women’s Match Window, as preparations intensify for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
The camp will begin on November 10 at the National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata, with players expected to report over the weekend. India will play a series of international friendlies during the November window (November 24 to December 2), with opponents and venues to be confirmed shortly.
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The upcoming matches will be another important step in India’s long-term preparation for the continental championship, set to be held next year. The Blue Tigresses are expected to focus on tactical cohesion, match rhythm, and assessing new talent during this phase. The squad announced by Chettri retains the core group that featured in the October international friendlies against IR Iran and Nepal in Shillong. Those matches offered valuable minutes for several new names, as India aims to build depth across positions.
Among the 25 probables, there’s a balanced mix of experience and emerging potential. Senior players like Manisha Kalyan, Ratanbala Devi, Anju Tamang, Sangita Basfore, and Sanju continue to anchor the side, while youngsters such as Aveka Singh, Malavika P, and Babina Devi Lisham have been rewarded for consistent performances at the club and domestic level.
Aveka Singh Earns First Senior Call-Up
One of the standout inclusions is Aveka Singh, who receives her first-ever senior national call-up. The 20-year-old midfielder has been turning heads in Europe, representing Næstved HG in the Danish 2nd Division since August. Her adaptability and technical awareness in midfield have impressed scouts and coaches alike, earning her a deserved opportunity at the senior level.
Aveka’s selection underscores the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) ongoing effort to integrate overseas-based Indian players into the national setup, ensuring broader exposure and competition experience. While she is yet to make her international debut, her European stint could add a new dimension to India’s midfield dynamics.
Squad Composition: A Core Taking Shape
The 25 probables include:
Goalkeepers: Adrija Sarkhel, Munni, Sowmiya Narayanasamy.
Defenders: Aruna Bag, Dhurga Perumal, Juli Kishan, Kiran Pisda, Malati Munda, Martina Thokchom, Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam, Sanju.
Midfielders: Anju Tamang, Aveka Singh, Babina Devi Lisham, Jasoda Munda, Priyadharshini Selladurai, Ratanbala Devi Nongmaithem, Sangita Basfore, Santosh.
Forwards: Karishma Shirvoikar, Lynda Kom Serto, Malavika P, Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa, Sushmita Jadhav.
The return of Sangita Basfore and Sanju will strengthen the spine of the team, while Pyari Xaxa and Manisha Kalyan remain central to India’s attacking identity. Manisha, who has been in impressive form for Apoel FC in Cyprus, is expected to play a key role once again, offering both pace and creativity from the wings. Coach Chettri, who took charge earlier this year, has emphasized building a structured, possession-based system that leverages India’s speed and flexibility in attack. The upcoming camp is likely to feature high-intensity tactical drills and internal practice matches to fine-tune transitions and defensive shape.
Building on the October Window
In the previous international window in October, India hosted Iran and Nepal in Shillong, registering mixed results but gaining vital match experience. The games helped Chettri assess his team’s depth, particularly in midfield and defense. Several younger players, including Malati Munda and Kiran Pisda, earned valuable international minutes, which bodes well for the team’s future.
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The November friendlies will thus serve as both a testing ground and a proving stage a chance for fringe players to stake their claim for the final AFC Asian Cup squad while the coaching staff works to solidify combinations and tactical balance.
With just over a year to go for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, the focus remains firmly on readiness. The Blue Tigresses aim not only to qualify but to make a deeper impact than in their previous appearance. India’s consistent international exposure in 2024 and 2025 including matches in Europe, Central Asia, and South Asia is part of that larger plan.
For Crispin Chettri and his players, the Kolkata camp marks another step in that journey one built on hard work, strategic clarity, and belief in India’s growing potential in women’s football.
