The month of August 2025 will be a pivotal one for Indian women football both at the youth and senior club level. On one hand, the India U20 women’s national team will begin their campaign in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, while on the other, East Bengal FC’s women’s team will represent India in the AFC Women’s Champions League Qualifiers.
But while these upcoming fixtures offer a rare international stage for Indian women’s footballers, the worrying signs off the pitch continue to dampen the promise of potential.
India U20: Group D Fixtures and Stakes
The India U20 women’s national team has been placed in Group D of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers and will face:
- 6 August – vs Indonesia 🇮🇩
- 8 August – vs Turkmenistan 🇹🇲
- 10 August – vs Myanmar 🇲🇲
The stakes are high. The eight group winners and the three best second-placed teams across the groups will qualify for the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Final Tournament.
India has never qualified for this tournament since the U19/U20 format came into existence in 2006. Despite occasional talent flashes, the broader systemic issues have kept India from making the next step in the Asian football pyramid.
The Same Story: No Friendlies, No Preparation
As of early July, with just a month to go, no international friendlies or preparatory tournaments have been arranged for the Indian U20 women’s team. This lack of exposure and preparation time has unfortunately become a pattern.
While other South Asian nations like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan are set to compete in the SAFF U20 Women’s Championship this month, India withdrew from the event. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has not yet arranged alternate matches for the team to gain match practice ahead of a crucial AFC qualifier.
The silence and inactivity surrounding the team’s preparation raise valid concerns how can a team be expected to perform at continental level without any recent game time or tactical tuning?
Talent Exists Systems Don’t
India’s recent performances across all age categories in women’s football have been disappointing not because of a lack of potential, but because of persistent systemic failures:
- Inconsistent scouting and talent identification
- Subpar grassroots and academy structures
- Negligible exposure to quality opposition
- Minimal game time at the international level
Even though AIFF’s step to register and send the U20 side for the AFC qualifiers deserves appreciation, that act alone isn’t enough. Without adequate preparation, even the most talented squads can fall short. The U20 girls need real match experience — not just training sessions behind closed doors.
AFC Women’s Champions League: East Bengal Carry the Flag
On the senior club front, East Bengal FC Women will represent India in the AFC Women’s Champions League Qualifiers East Region. They face:
- 25 August – vs Phnom Penh Crown 🇰🇭 (Cambodia)
- 31 August – vs Kitchee SC 🇭🇰 (Hong Kong)
This is a significant moment for the club and Indian women’s club football. With the AIFF launching the Indian Women’s League (IWL) 2nd Division and granting more support to top-tier women’s sides, East Bengal’s appearance on the Asian stage marks a positive step.
But similar to the national team, East Bengal’s preparations remain under wraps. With no recent competitive matches, limited pre-season exposure, and no clear word on friendlies, the concern remains: will India once again send representatives without ensuring they are match ready?
Where Are the Long-Term Plans?
India’s ranking in women’s football has stagnated in the Asian sub-tier, while other nations including Southeast Asian ones continue to grow through better systems and investment. Countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand have qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, while India still battles structural gaps.
Despite the increase in women’s football activity post-2022 — with more IWL clubs, better coverage, and a more supportive federation — it is clear that ad-hoc planning won’t suffice anymore.
What Needs to Happen Next?
- Immediate Friendlies for the U20 Side
AIFF must urgently arrange practice matches even if it means internal games or matches against U17 boys or local senior sides. Something is better than nothing. - Transparent Planning
Fans and media alike are often left guessing about team selections, preparation schedules, and even coaching decisions. More transparency can build accountability. - Investment in Age-Group Pathways
The current U20 batch should not be seen in isolation. They should be part of a 3–5 year player development plan tied to long-term targets be it SAFF success, AFC qualification, or even long-term World Cup ambitions. - Club Support Must Continue
East Bengal’s participation is commendable, but more clubs must be incentivized to invest in women’s teams, with guaranteed competitions and assured exposure.
August could be a defining month but only if the right support mechanisms are in place. India’s women footballers, whether playing for the tricolour or for club colours, deserve more than just selection announcements and social media posts.
The AFC U20 Qualifiers and the AFC Women’s Champions League represent rare chances for Indian football to make a mark on the Asian stage. Let’s hope those responsible don’t waste it through inaction.
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