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Blue Tigresses Depart for Turkey Camp Ahead of Crucial Asian Cup Qualifiers

The Indian senior women's national football team, nicknamed the Blue Tigresses, has departed for a training camp in Turkey. The 26-player squad will play three closed-door friendly matches against European clubs during their stay. These matches are a key part of their preparation for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 qualifiers in March. Winger Soumya Guguloth and midfielder Karthika Angamuthu missed the trip due to injuries.

Key Points: India Women's Football Team Departs for Turkey Training Camp

  • Squad of 26 players departs
  • Training camp in Antalya, Turkey
  • Three closed-door friendlies vs European clubs
  • Preparation for 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup
2 min read

India's women's football team 'Blue Tigresses' depart for Turkiye with 26 players

The Indian senior women's football team, the Blue Tigresses, have left for a training camp in Turkey to play friendlies against European clubs.

"preparing for March's AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 - AIFF"

New Delhi, January 15

The Indian senior women's football team, the 'Blue Tigresses', with a squad of 26 players, departed for a training camp in Turkiye on Thursday.

The Blue Tigresses, preparing for March's AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026, held a brief three-day training camp in Gurugram, Haryana, from January 12 to 14, according to the AIFF website.

They will arrive in Antalya, Turkiye, on Thursday afternoon, and will play closed-door friendly matches against three European clubs -- FC Metalist 1925 Kharkiv (Ukraine) on January 18, FC Zurich Frauen (Switzerland) on January 21, and FC Schlieren (Switzerland) on January 24, in the city of Manavgat, around 75 kilometres from Antalya.

Winger Soumya Guguloth and midfielder Karthika Angamuthu are not part of the travelling squad to Turkiye because of injuries.

Indian senior women's team's 26-member travelling squad to Turkiye:

Goalkeepers: Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Sowmiya Narayanasamy, Shreya Hooda, Adrija Sarkhel.

Defenders: Sweety Devi Ngangbam, Shilky Devi Hemam, Juli Kishan, Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam, Sanju, Astam Oraon, Sarita Yumnam, Sushmita Lepcha, Martina Thokchom.

Midfielders: Sangita Basfore, Babina Devi Lisham, Priyadharshini Selladurai, Anju Tamang, Jasoda Munda, Sanfida Nongrum.

Forwards: Grace Dangmei, Karishma Shirvoikar, Rimpa Haldar, Malavika P, Pyari Xaxa, Lynda Kom Serto, Kaviya Pakkirisamy.

Indian senior women's team's friendly matches in Turkiye:January 18: India vs FC Metalist 1925 Kharkiv, Emirhan Sport Center, 17:30 ISTJanuary 21: India vs FC Zurich Frauen, Emirhan Sport Center, 17:30 ISTJanuary24: India vs FC Schlieren, Evrenseki/Ilica Stadium, 17:30 IST.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Great initiative by AIFF. Playing friendlies against European teams is the right step. But I hope the matches are streamed online for fans? Closed-door is fine for strategy, but we want to support our girls!
A
Aditya G
The squad looks strong! Sad to hear about Soumya and Karthika's injuries, hope they recover soon. Big opportunity for others to step up. All the best, ladies! Bring home the experience.
S
Sarah B
As a football fan living in India, it's heartening to see the women's team get this kind of international exposure. The mix of experienced players like Sangita Basfore and young talent is promising. Go Tigresses!
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, while this camp is good, we need more consistent long-term planning. A three-day camp in Gurugram feels very short before such an important tour. Hope the federation is investing properly in their training facilities and support staff too.
N
Nisha Z
Wishing our girls all the very best! 🇮🇳 Playing against teams from Ukraine and Switzerland will be a tough but great learning curve. Jai Hind!

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