The AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 will also be the final stage of Asian qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
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The football fever has begun as India is all set to host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 from the 20th of this month. The tournament, which will be held in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Pune, will witness 12 teams competing for the trophy. The AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 will also be the final stage of Asian qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The 12 teams at the 20th edition of the tournament have been divided into three groups. Group A includes India, China PR, Chinese Taipei, and IR Iran, while Group B includes Australia, Thailand, Philippines, and Indonesia. Meanwhile, Japan, Korea Republic, Vietnam, and Myanmar have been slotted in Group C.
Shri Praful Patel, AIFF President, stated during a virtual press conference on Monday that the tournament will help in building women’s football in India. “All the preparations for the tournament are in place. We are in complete readiness to host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022. This is a very special tournament because women’s football is gaining a lot of ground in Asia, and particularly in India. I can see a lot of boys and girls, in urban cities and in Tier 1&2 cities, who are looking at football as their most preferred sport and are also looking at football as a career option. The AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 will help in building women’s football in India.”
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When asked about the safety measures regarding the Covid-19 situation, Patel said, “We will follow the strictest of protocols and have full support from the Government of Maharashtra in hosting the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022. We have ensured that the teams don’t travel much and therefore the tournament is being held in three cities, which are close by. My sincere thanks to the government of Maharashtra for providing venues and financial support. The government of India has also given us exemplary support. We are very proud and happy that India has been chosen as the hosts for this tournament and for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022 in October.”
Shri Aaditya Thackeray, Cabinet Minister, Government of Maharashtra and President Mumbai District Football Association, who was also in attendance during the virtual press conference, said, “For Maharashtra as well as for Indian football, this tournament is a huge feat. We had the FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup five years ago and now we have the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022, followed by the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022. This is a very crucial moment for our coaches and sportspersons across the country. The fact that the teams are coming to our country during a pandemic to play the game is in itself a huge inspiration for us. Sport is something that can bridge barriers and take us ahead during the tough times that we are all facing globally.”
