Shillong: The Indian senior women’s football team is set to play two international friendlies against Iran and Nepal in Shillong later this month as part of their preparations for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
India, ranked 63rd in the world, will face Iran (ranked 70th) on October 21 and Nepal (ranked 89th) on October 27 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Between those fixtures, Iran will meet Nepal on October 24 at the same venue.
According to a release from the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the matches mark India’s first outing since their historic qualification for the 2026 Asian Cup, achieved in July after defeating Thailand in Chiang Mai.
The upcoming games will serve as crucial preparation for the continental tournament.
Iran have also secured their spot in the 12-team Asian Cup, while Nepal narrowly missed out after losing to Uzbekistan in a penalty shootout.
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This will be the second time Shillong hosts the Indian women’s national team — the first being during the 2016 South Asian Games, where the Blue Tigresses clinched gold with a commanding 4–0 win over Nepal.
Earlier this year, the Meghalaya capital also hosted the AFC Asian Cup men’s qualifier against Bangladesh and an international friendly against the Maldives, further cementing its place as a growing hub for top-tier football in the Northeast.
