India kick off their FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification dream on Wednesday, March 4 as they take on Vietnam in Perth in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The continental tournament, taking place in Australia this year, has added prestige as it also acts as a qualification pathway for Asian teams for next year’s World Cup.

FIFA Women’s World Cup is scheduled to be held in Brazil in June-July next year with 32 teams set to take part. India hoping to be one of those teams as the Blue Tigresses embark on a high-stakes journey in Australia.

The Blue Tigresses stunned last Asian Cup’s quarterfinalists Thailand in the qualifiers to advance to the main draw of Women’s Asian Cup and now they have their eyes set on the ultimate dream. However, it is not going to be easy at all as they go up against stronger opponents.

India FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification scenario

Six teams from the 12-team Women’s Asian Cup will directly go to the showpiece event of next year in Brazil. Two more teams will advance to the inter-continental play-offs from where they can potentially book their spot for the World Cup.

The 12 teams are divided into 3 groups in the Women’s Asia Cup. Group toppers and second-placed teams will move to quarterfinals where they will be joined with two best third-placed teams across the three groups.

So, the first step is to go to the quarterfinal by either finishing in the top two of their group or by being among the top two third-placed sides.

The winners of quarterfinals will directly go to the World Cup. The losing quarterfinalists will play against each other with two winners also joining the quarterfinal winners in the World Cup. The remaining two quarterfinal teams will qualify for the Intercontinental qualification playoffs which will decide the final three teams for the World Cup.

What are India’s FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification chances?

Ranked 67, India are comfortably the lowest ranked side in their group which consists of a heavyweight in Japan and two other quality sides in Chinese Taipei and Vietnam. All three of India’s group opponents are ranked within the top 50. So, it is a tough task ahead for the Blue Tigresses.

Head coach Amelia Valverde had taken an unheralded Costa Rica to the last women’s World Cup and Indian fans would hope for her to bring similar good news with the Blue Tigresses as well.

India Women’s Asian Cup schedule

• March 4, 2026: India vs Vietnam, Perth (4:30 PM IST)

• March 7, 2026: India vs Japan, Perth (4:30 PM IST)

• March 10, 2026: India vs Chinese Taipei, Sydney (2:30 PM IST)