India beat Iraq 5-0 in AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers

India delivered a dominant 5-0 win over Iraq in the AFC Women’s Football Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers at the 700th Anniversary Stadium in Chiang Mai, Thailand, last evening.

First-half goals from Sangita Basfore and Manisha set the tone before a dominant second half where Karthika Angamuthu, Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi, and Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi added goals to the scoreline. With this result, the Blue Tigresses are only a step away from Women’s Asian Cup



qualification.

Nirmala Devi, who scored her first goal for the country, said the team will prepare to play even better in the next game against Thailand and qualify for the Asian Cup.

India now moves to the top of Group B with nine points and an unbeaten record, and a goal difference of +22. Iraq, along with Mongolia and Timor-Leste, is now out of the qualification race. India will now face hosts Thailand on Saturday in their final group B match.