Only the group winner after single-headed round robin football matches in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers will make the cut for the 12-team main event.
Wednesday’s result also ended Mongolia and Timor-Leste’s chances of qualifying for the Women’s AFC Asian Cup 2026.
India last qualified directly for the main draw of the Women’s AFC Asian Cup in 2003. They automatically received a spot at the last edition in 2022 as the tournament hosts but were forced to withdraw due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the squad.
Basfore converted from close range to give India, 70th in the FIFA world rankings, the early lead. The goal materialised after the Iraqi goalkeeper mishandled a corner from Indian captain Sanju.
The world No. 173 Iraq football team fell 2-0 behind just before half-time as Manisha Kalyan’s weak strike slipped through the hands of the Iraqi goalkeeper before rippling the net.
With a two-goal cushion handy, the Crispin Chettri-coached Indian team played freely in the second half and added three more to the tally.