AIFF Nears Deal with Costa Rican Coach Amelia Valverde for Women's Asian Cup Campaign
The All India Football Federation is moving quickly to secure a new leader for the women's national team. According to sources, the federation expects to complete the signing of Amelia Valverde within the next forty-eight hours. The thirty-nine-year-old Costa Rican has accepted a short-term offer to serve as mentor and coach.
Valverde Brings World Cup Experience to Indian Football
Amelia Valverde possesses significant international credentials. She coached the Costa Rica women's national team at two separate FIFA Women's World Cups. Her first appearance came in 2015, and she returned to the global stage in 2023. Federation officials reportedly believe her high-level experience, proven achievements, and strong communication skills can inspire the Indian squad.
Her primary mission will be guiding India through the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026. This crucial tournament runs from March 1 to March 21 across three Australian cities. Twelve teams will compete, with up to eight spots available for the subsequent FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.
India's Qualification Pathway and Group Challenge
A senior AIFF official emphasized the importance of this appointment. The women's team has a genuine chance to qualify for the World Cup, the official stated on Wednesday. The pathway is clear: eight of the twelve teams that reach the quarterfinals will earn a historic World Cup berth.
India finds itself in a challenging but manageable group. The team is currently ranked sixty-seventh in the world, the lowest in its pool. Their opponents include football powerhouse Japan, ranked seventh globally, along with Vietnam (37) and Chinese Taipei (42). Officials consider qualification a realistic goal, not an impossible dream.
Transition in Coaching Leadership
Valverde's arrival marks a shift in the coaching setup. It represents a setback for current coach Crispin Chhetri, who orchestrated India's successful qualification campaign. That campaign featured a stunning victory against Thailand, a team that had previously played in a World Cup. However, federation officials confirmed that Chhetri will remain with the national team in some capacity.
Valverde's contract will be strictly short-term, lasting only until the conclusion of India's Asian Cup journey. She is expected to be supported by specialized coaches for goalkeeping and fitness.
Valverde's Coaching Journey and Track Record
Amelia Valverde began her coaching career at the young age of twenty-five. Her connection with the Costa Rican national team started in 2011. She initially served as a fitness coach before becoming the assistant to head coach Garabet Avedissian.
When Avedissian resigned in early 2015, Valverde was the natural choice to take over. She immediately led Costa Rica to its first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup appearance later that same year. In that tournament, her team secured draws against Spain and South Korea. They narrowly missed advancing to the knockout stage after conceding a late winning goal to Brazil in the eighty-third minute.
Under her eight-year tenure from 2015 to 2023, Costa Rica achieved notable success. The team won a gold medal at the 2017 Central American Games and a silver in 2018. They also earned a bronze medal at the 2019 Pan American Games. A fourth-place finish at the 2022 CONCACAF Championship secured their qualification for the 2023 World Cup, though they did not progress from the group stage after losses to Japan, Spain, and Zambia.
The AIFF is betting that this wealth of experience can propel the Indian women's football team to new heights on the continental stage.
