NEW DELHI, July 5: In a landmark moment for Indian football, the Indian women’s team booked their place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Thailand in Chiang Mai on Sunday. The win not only sealed their qualification for the continental showpiece in Australia but also marked India’s first-ever victory over Thailand in women’s football.
Midfielder Sangita Basfore emerged as the hero of the evening, scoring both goals in a fiercely contested qualifier that kept fans on edge until the final whistle. Her opener came in the 29th minute, giving India a vital lead before Thailand equalised shortly after halftime through Chatchawan Rodthong. But Sangita wasn’t done — rising to the occasion once more, she found the back of the net with a decisive header, sealing the win and sending India through.
Ranked 70th in the world and 24 places behind Thailand, India entered the match as underdogs. However, the Blue Tigresses showed remarkable composure, tactical discipline, and fighting spirit to rewrite history.
“This is a defining moment,” head coach Crispin Chettri said post-match. “We’ve been preparing for this for months. To beat a side like Thailand and qualify through merit — this changes the game for women’s football in India.”
This qualification marks India’s first AFC Asian Cup entry via the qualifiers, making their ninth overall appearance in the prestigious tournament. The team last played in 2022 as hosts but had to withdraw due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Prior to that, their last participation was in 2003, before the qualification format was introduced.
With the 2026 AFC Asian Cup doubling as the first step towards qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, India’s win is a crucial milestone in their long-term ambitions.
