Shillong, Feb 23: Meghalaya’s Sanfida Nongrum has been named in India’s 26-member squad for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in Australia next month.
Sanfida, popularly known as Polly, was officially included in the national squad by head coach Amelia Valverde. She is among six uncapped players in the team and, at 20 years old, is one of the youngest members of the squad. Although she featured in several closed-door friendlies in Turkey earlier this year, those matches did not count as official internationals.
Her selection marks a historic milestone, as no Meghalayan woman has previously represented India at the senior national level in football.
Historic Moment for Meghalaya
Reacting to the announcement, Hamletson Dohling, President of the Meghalaya Football Association, described it as a proud and historic moment for the state.
Addressing Sanfida, he said, “Your journey, hard work and belief have brought you here. You carry not just the tricolour but the hopes and dreams of so many young girls back home who now know that this stage is possible. Wishing you strength, confidence and a tournament to remember.”
India’s Group and Fixtures
Placed in Group C, the Blue Tigresses will begin their campaign against Vietnam on March 4 at the Perth Rectangular Stadium at 4:30pm (IST). They will face Japan on March 7 at the same venue and time, before taking on Chinese Taipei on March 10 at the Western Sydney Stadium at 2:30pm (IST).
The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed sides, will advance to the quarterfinals. The four quarterfinal winners will secure qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil. The losing quarterfinalists will compete in playoffs for the remaining two direct spots allocated to Asia, with an additional intercontinental playoff opportunity available.
India arrived in Perth on February 11 following a four-week preparatory camp in Turkey.
Squad Composition and Experience
Eight players in the current squad were part of the previous Asian Cup hosted by India in 2022, including Sweety Devi Ngangbam, Shilky Devi Hemam, Sanju Yadav, Anju Tamang, Pyari Xaxa, Grace Dangmei, Manisha Kalyan and Sowmiya Narayanasamy. However, India had to withdraw from that tournament after one match due to a Covid-19 outbreak.
Among the six potential debutants are defenders Sarita Yumnam and Sushmita Lepcha, midfielders Jasoda Munda, Sanfida and Aveka Singh, and forward Kaviya Pakkirisamy.
Grace Dangmei is the most experienced player in the squad, with 91 caps and 23 international goals. Anju Tamang, born in 1995, is the seniormost player at 30 years old, while Shilky Devi Hemam remains the youngest, now aged 20.
In terms of club representation, East Bengal FC contributes eight players to the squad, followed by Sethu FC (six) and Sribhumi FC (four). Aveka Singh (Næstved HG, Denmark) and Manisha Kalyan (Alianza Lima, Peru) are the only two players currently playing abroad.
Sanfida’s Club Career
A regular in the Indian Women’s League, Sanfida currently plays for Garhwal United. She has previously represented Bangalore United, Sports Odisha and Sirvodem SC, and has also played for the Meghalaya sub-junior girls’ team. Through her registration with Garhwal, she has represented Delhi in the Senior Women’s National Football Championship.
In Meghalaya, she guided Laitkor to victory in the Women’s Football League 2024. Last year, playing for Misaka United, she emerged as Top Scorer and Player of the Tournament at the Karnataka Women’s League 2025-26.
Her inclusion in the national squad signals not only personal achievement but also a breakthrough moment for women’s football in Meghalaya.
