In a moment of immense national pride, the Indian Senior Women’s Football Team has officially qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, marking their first qualification through the official qualifying route and their first appearance in the tournament since 2022.
The qualification was sealed following a thrilling 2-1 victory over hosts Thailand at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium on Friday, July 7, 2025.
India finished at the top of Group B, winning all four of their qualifying matches. This qualification holds even greater significance as it comes after an 18-year wait — the last time India qualified outright for the Asian Cup was in 2003, before the introduction of the current format.
Among the 23-member Indian squad is Ms. Kiran Pisda, a rising football star from Balod district, Chhattisgarh, and the daughter of Shri Mahesh Ram Pisda. Her selection to the national team is a proud moment not only for her family but for the entire state of Chhattisgarh.
Kiran’s journey to the international stage has been significantly supported by the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of NTPC Korba, which has played a vital role in nurturing local talent and promoting sports development in the region. Her inclusion in the national squad is a testament to the effectiveness of CSR-backed sports programs in identifying and empowering promising athletes from rural and semi-urban India.
India’s victory over Thailand is especially historic, as the national team had never previously beaten the Thai side in women’s football. Their unbeaten run through the qualifiers reflects the growing strength and potential of Indian women’s football on the continental stage.
This success also reflects the development of a robust football ecosystem in states like Chhattisgarh, thanks in large part to the committed support of sponsors and institutions. “Special thanks are extended to NTPC Korba for its continued investment in grassroots sports through CSR programs and for championing athletes like Kiran Pisda,” remarked the Chhattisgarh Football Association.
As India looks forward to competing in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in Australia, the contribution of players like Kiran Pisda and the support from organizations like NTPC stand as shining examples of how collaboration between communities, institutions, and corporations can create milestones in national sports.
