This is the second time India is hosting a global football tournament. Hosts India have been drawn in Group A alongside USA, Morocco and Brazil.
After a successful hosting of the men’s age-group tournament five years back, India is all set to stage another FIFA tournament with the U-17 Women’s World Cup beginning at the Kalinga Stadium from Tuesday. Bhubaneswar, Navi Mumbai and Goa will hold FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 games. (More Football News)
Indian football endured some tumultuous times in the past few months. After being banned by FIFA for the first time in 85 years for undue third-party interference, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) quickly rose to occasion to vote former footballer Kalyan Chaubey as president via elections.
Chaubey defeated former national captain and legendary Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia 33-1 for the top post. Shaji Prabhakaran was elected as AIFF secretary general. FIFA lifted the AIFF ban on August 27 clearing the decks for India to host its first-ever FIFA women’s football tournament.
India have already announced their 21-member squad. Hosts India have been drawn in Group A alongside USA, Morocco and Brazil. India will face USA on October 11, followed Morocco and Brazil on October 14 and October 17 respectively, at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
Ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022, the Indian team played a couple of friendlies in Spain as a part of preparation for the mega event. The Indian team lost to Sweden 1-3 in their opening fixture before thrashing WSS Barcelona Club 17-1.
India head coach Thomas Dennerby has full faith that the team will give Brazil and USA, a run for their money with an aim to qualify for the quarterfinals. “Of course, we're up against absolute top teams,” the 63-year-old told reporters in a virtual interaction ahead of the big meet.
“But if we have a really good day and the teams have a little bit weaker outing, there's always a chance for the team coming out like underdogs to win that game.” If we can score an early goal against one of these teams, they may get a little bit nervous, get stressed and so on.
If their respective senior FIFA rankings are of any indication, then USA are the world no 1. Brazil are in top-10, while Morocco (76) are the only nation below the 58-ranked India in the senior women’s rankings. All India’s matches will start from 8 PM IST.
There will be 24 group stage games. The knock-outs start on October 21. The tournament was originally scheduled to be held in 2020 but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 16 teams have been divided into four groups of four each.
The top two teams of each group make the quarterfinals. Hosts India, Morocco and Tanzania are making their debuts at FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Spain are the defending champions, having won their first title in 2018.
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa will host the semifinals while the final is scheduled on October 30 at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Navi Mumbai and Goa will also host the quarterfinal matches.
Sports 18 has the broadcast rights of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2022 in India. Sports18 1, Sports18 1 HD and Sports18 Khel will live broadcast India’s matches at FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022. Live streaming of India’s matches will be available on JioCinema.
Group A: India, Brazil, Morocco, USA
Group B: Germany, Nigeria, Chile, New Zealand
Group C: Spain, Colombia, Mexico, China
Group D: Japan, Tanzania, France, Canada
Goalkeepers: Monalisha Devi Moirangthem, Melody Chanu Keisham, Anjali Munda.
Defenders: Astam Oraon, Kajal, Naketa, Purnima Kumari, Varshika, Shilky Devi Hemam.
Midfielders: Babina Devi Lisham, Nitu Linda, Shailja, Shubhangi Singh.
Forwards: Anita Kumari, Lynda Kom Serto, Neha, Rejiya Devi Laishram, Shelia Devi Loktongbam, Kajol Hubert Dsouza, Lavanya Upadhyay, Sudha Ankita Tirkey.
October 11 (Tuesday)
Morocco vs Brazil – Bhubaneswar – 4.30 PM IST
Chile vs New Zealand – Margao – 4.30 PM IST
Germany vs Nigeria – Margao – 8.00 PM IST
India vs USA – Bhubaneswar – 8.00 PM IST
October 12 (Wednesday)
Canada vs France – Margao – 4.30 PM IST
Mexico vs China – Navi Mumbai – 4.30 PM IST
Japan vs Tanzania – Margao – 8.00 PM IST
Spain vs Colombia – Navi Mumbai – 8.00 PM IST
October 14 (Friday)
Brazil vs USA – Bhubaneswar – 4.30 PM IST
New Zealand vs Nigeria – Margao – 4.30 PM IST
Germany vs Chile – Margao – 8.00 PM IST
India vs Morocco – Bhubaneswar – 8.00 PM IST
October 15 (Saturday)
China vs Colombia – Navi Mumbai – 4.30 PM IST
France vs Tanzania – Margao – 4.30 PM IST
Japan vs Canada – Margao – 8.00 PM IST
Spain vs Mexico – Navi Mumbai – 8.00 PM IST
October 17 (Monday)
New Zealand vs Germany – Margao – 4.30 PM IST
Nigeria vs Chile – Bhubaneswar – 4.30 PM IST
Brazil vs India – Bhubaneswar – 8.00 PM IST
USA vs Morocco – Margao – 8.00 PM IST
October 18 (Tuesday)
China vs Spain – Navi Mumbai – 4.30 PM IST
Colombia vs Mexico – Margao – 4.30 PM IST
France vs Japan – Margao – 8.00 PM IST
Tanzania vs Canada – Navi Mumbai – 8.00 PM IST
October 21 (Friday)
Quarterfinal 1: Group A Winner vs Group B Runner-up – Navi Mumbai – 4.30 PM IST
Quarterfinal 2: Group B Winenr vs Group A Runner-up – Navi Mumbai – 8.00 PM IST
October 22 (Saturday)
Quarterfinal 3: Winner Group C vs Runner-up Group D – Margao – 4.30 PM IST
Quarterfinal 4: Winner Group D vs Runner-up Group C – Margao – 8.00 PM IST
October 26 (Wednesday)
Semifinal 1: QF 1 Winner vs QF 3 Winner – Margao – 4.30 PM IST
Semifinal 2: QF 2 Winner vs QF 4 Winner – Margao – 8.00 PM IST
October 30 (Sunday)
Third place: Loser Semifinal 1 vs Loser Semifinal 2 – Navi Mumbai – 4.30 PM IST
Final: Winner Semifinal 1 vs Winner Semifinal 2 – Navi Mumbai – 8.00 PM IST