Indian Women’s Football: Falling Behind in the South Asian Calendar

“No Fixtures, No Future? The Troubling Void in Indian Women’s Football Schedule”

Halfway through 2025, the Indian women’s national football team has taken the field just ten times. That’s not a typo. Ten matches—including friendlies, a brief run in the Pink Ladies Cup, AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers, and SAFF Championship appearances. According to Khel Now, that’s been the extent of competitive exposure for one of South Asia’s most high-profile women’s teams.

Now compare that to what’s happening just across the border.

In early 2025, Nepal didn’t just wait for tournaments to happen – they hosted one. A four-nation women’s tournament brought valuable international action to their players, with opponents and atmospheres that challenged and motivated the team. As reported on Reddit, this move wasn’t just symbolic – it gave Nepal’s players the minutes that matter.

Bangladesh has also kept its women’s squad active. The team played seven matches in the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship alone, and that’s not counting additional qualifiers and friendlies they’ve had. It’s clear that Bangladesh is making sure their women’s team is match-fit and internationally exposed — not just on paper, but on the pitch.

Meanwhile, back home, the Indian Women’s League (IWL) continues to serve as the main source of competitive games for domestic players. But the IWL runs only for a few months, and even then, it can’t make up for the lack of consistent national team fixtures. As The Away End points out, players simply aren’t getting enough game time to develop or compete at a serious level.

India Has the Tools, Others Have the Will

This gap hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans. On r/IndianFootball, users point out how in 2023, the women’s team didn’t play a single friendly outside of tournaments. That kind of absence doesn’t just hurt rankings-it breaks momentum. Another thread (r/IndianFootball) highlights the same frustration: the talent is there, but the opportunities just aren’t.

What’s striking is that India, with more infrastructure, a higher FIFA ranking, and a deeper player pool, is still falling behind countries like Nepal and Bangladesh – at least when it comes to match exposure. It’s not just about funding or resources anymore. It’s about scheduling, commitment, and making sure that international football for women is more than an occasional event.

While India has the resources, the infrastructure, and a steadily growing fan base, it’s Nepal and Bangladesh who are doing more with less. They’re building calendars. They’re putting their players in real-game situations. They’re choosing action over potential.

Nepal and Bangladesh are playing. Why Isn’t India?

The contrast becomes more evident when noting that while India may boast better FIFA rankings and domestic infrastructure on paper, it is Nepal and Bangladesh that are consistently offering their national women’s teams more playing time. This gap in fixture load is a clear indicator of the differing strategic priorities among South Asian football federations when it comes to women’s football.

In international football, calendars matter. They shape careers, sharpen teams, and build confidence. More importantly, they send a message – that the team matters, that the investment is real, and that the future is being taken seriously. Unfortunately, India’s women’s team is still waiting for that message to become a reality.

For the athletes who wear the Indian badge, the motivation to represent the country has never wavered. They continue to train, compete, and dream – even when the system gives them so few chances to show what they’re capable of. Many of these women juggle careers, academics, and family expectations, often without the support systems that male athletes enjoy. What they need is a structure that respects their time, their talent, and their commitment.

The difference in match calendars might seem like a numbers game, but for the players – and the future of the sport – it’s about opportunity.