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In 2009, women's football in India reached a heartbreaking low in the game's 75-year-long history in the country. The national team, once a force to be reckoned with in the Asian women's football arena during the 1980s, was delisted from the FIFA world rankings due to inactivity. For over a year, the team hadn't played a single international match.
It was a devastating blow to women's football in India. It was rock bottom. Things could only improve from that point. And they did. Despite enormous odds, the team bounced back. In July this year, the Indian women's team — also called the 'Blue Tigresses' — qualified for the AFC Women's Asian Cup for the first time. They were placed in Group C of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 alongside powerhouses Japan, Vietnam, and Chinese Taipei. It's a tough group, but just qualifying on merit shows the team's resilience and indomitable spirit.
A Long History of Highs and Lows
Indian women's football has a rich history marked by early promise, institutional hurdles, and remarkable resilience. The sport started gaining momentum in the 1970s with the founding of the Women's Football Federation of India (WFFI), which managed India's participation in the first editions of the AFC Women's Championships, where the national team earned several runner-up finishes.
However, the WFFI was never officially recognized by FIFA or the AFC, making many of these achievements unofficial in the eyes of global football. Eventually, control of women's football was transferred to the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Since then, while the national team has continued to push for success and recognition, progress has been hindered by persistent challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited funding, and deep-seated societal biases.
Abandoned but Unbowed
The delisting in 2009 represented broader systemic neglect. The women's team lacked consistent international matches, proper training facilities, media coverage, and most importantly, recognition. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) hadn't given women's football any significant attention. Most players came from small towns, playing mainly for personal pride. There were no national leagues, grassroots programs for girls, or clear paths to international competitions.
Yet, despite this, Indian women footballers kept playing and practicing as if their lives depended on it. In states like Manipur, Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, girls continued kicking balls on dusty fields, often with makeshift equipment. In Imphal, legendary footballer Bembem Devi Oinam — known as the 'Durga of Indian football' — kept the spirit alive by mentoring the next generation, even as the system neglected her.
The First Steps to Revival
The tide began to turn in the 2010s. The AIFF resumed international matches for India, and the women's team started competing regularly in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championships, where they achieved early success. Their dominance in South Asia, while not significant globally, boosted their confidence.
In 2016, the Indian Women's League (IWL) was launched, providing a platform for club-level competition in the country. Although the league was modest — with short seasons and limited media coverage — it offered exposure and a clear path to the national team. Promising players like Bala Devi Ngangom, Dalima Chhibber, and Ratanbala Devi Nongmaithem made names for themselves in the IWL.
The fundamental shift came with the launch of AIFF's 'Vision 2047' strategy in 2022, which included a bold goal: to see the Indian women's contingent qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup by 2047, on the centenary of the country's independence. For the first time, a structured long-term investment in women's football was on paper, backed by coaching initiatives, scouting networks, and planned league expansions.
A Pandemic-shaped Setback
India was scheduled to host the AFC Women's Asian Cup in 2022, marking their return to the continental stage after nearly twenty years. But just days into the tournament, a COVID-19 outbreak within the squad forced the team to withdraw. It was a harsh blow, not only because of the opportunity lost but because it felt like a return to marginalisation. However, the team didn't let that setback define them.
Over the next three years, India invested in fitness programs, brought in international coaching support, and sent players like Bala Devi abroad — she famously signed with Rangers FC in Scotland, becoming the first Indian woman to play professional football in Europe. Grassroots training for girls expanded in regions like Mizoram and Kerala. The IWL added more teams, and talent began emerging from unexpected corners.
The Road to 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup
In the qualifiers for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026, India showcased their strength by stunning Thailand with a 3–1 victory, thanks in part to midfielder Sangita Basfore, who scored two impressive goals. Following this, India topped Group B, securing their place in the tournament after consecutive wins against Iraq, Mongolia, and Timor-Leste, establishing themselves as formidable competitors.
India will make its first appearance at the Asian Cup since 2003, having been drawn into what many consider the group of death. They face formidable opponents, including world No. 7 Japan and two strong Southeast Asian teams, Vietnam and Chinese Taipei.
Eyes on the Ball
India is currently ranked 70th in the world, steadily climbing, though still far from becoming a global powerhouse. With young talents like Hemam Shilky Devi, Jyoti Chauhan, and Naorem Priyangka Devi emerging, the team is gaining depth. Plans to professionalize the Indian Women's League (IWL) are underway, aiming for longer seasons, increased investment, and live broadcasts. Additionally, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is advocating for the introduction of girls' football programs in every district by 2030.
For a team that didn't play a match in 2008 and couldn't participate in a tournament in 2022, these current developments are nothing short of historic. The 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup will serve as both a test and a triumph for the Indian women's team. Win or lose, the Blue Tigresses have arrived in the world arena. Indian women may be underdogs here, but they are no longer invisible. And come 2047, we hope the world will watch them roar on the biggest stage of all: the FIFA Women's World Cup.
