Indian Women's Football Team Faces Defeat in Olympic Qualifiers

India, 2 January 2026 — The Indian women's football team suffered a setback in their quest to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, losing 3-0 to Uzbekistan in their Group G match of the AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament on Sunday. The match, held at the Pakhtakor Central Stadium in Tashkent, saw the Indian side struggle against a dominant Uzbek team.

The hosts, Uzbekistan, capitalized on home advantage to outplay the Indian team, scoring two goals in the first half and adding another in the second half. The Indian team, led by coach Thomas Dennerby, found it challenging to break through the Uzbek defense and failed to convert their scoring opportunities.

This loss puts India in a difficult position in Group G, which also includes North Korea and Myanmar. The team must now win their remaining matches and rely on other results to keep their Olympic hopes alive.

The AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament is a critical path for Asian teams to secure a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics. With limited spots available, every match is crucial for teams aiming to compete on the world stage.

The Indian team will next face North Korea on Thursday, a match that could determine their fate in the tournament. The team is expected to regroup and make necessary adjustments to improve their performance.