Panaji: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is expected to complete the signing of Amelia Valverde as mentor/coach after the Costa Rican accepted a short-term offer to take charge of India’s campaign at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.Valverde, 39, has coached Costa Rica twice at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2023. The contract signing between the two parties is expected to be completed in the next 48 hours.According to sources, Valverde’s experience at the highest level, achievements, and communication skills convinced the AIFF that she can inspire the national team to a better performance on the continental stage. The AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 — scheduled to take place across three cities from March 1 to 21 – will see 12 teams competing for top honours with up to eight spots on offer for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.Costa Rica’s national team coach for eight years (2015-2023), Valverde is likely to be joined by a goalkeeping and fitness coach.“The women’s team has a chance of qualification to the World Cup and it’s important to do whatever it takes to help the footballers,” a senior official told TOI on Wednesday. “Eight of the twelve teams who qualify for the quarterfinals will be in fray for a historic World Cup spot. India have been placed in a decent group and qualification is not out of reach.”Ranked lowest in the group at 67, India have been drawn with Japan (world No 7), Vietnam (37), and Chinese Taipei (42).Valverde’s appointment will be a setback for coach Crispin Chhetri, who masterminded India’s qualification campaign which included a stunning win against World Cuppers Thailand. “Crispin will continue with the team,” said another official.Valverde’s short-term contract will be till the end of India’s campaign at the Asian Cup.A coach since she turned 25, Valverde was with the Costa Rica national team since 2011 and took up the top job in early 2015 after coach Garabet Avedissian’s resignation. Previously a fitness coach and later Avedissian’s right hand, Valverde was a natural choice to lead the nation into its first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup later that year.Costa Rica drew with Spain and South Korea and narrowly missed out on moving into the knockout round when Brazil scored an 83rd-minute winner.Costa Rica missed qualification to the World Cup in 2019 but made the grade in 2023, where they lost against Japan, Spain and Zambia in the group stage.With Valverde as coach, Costa Rica have won gold (2017) and silver (2018) at the Central American Games and bronze in the 2019 Pan American Games, besides finishing fourth at the 2022 CONCACAF Championship to qualify for the World Cup.
