From India To South America: Manisha Kalyan Scripts New Chapter In History | W

Last Updated:February 21, 2026, 09:10 IST

Manisha Kalyan makes history with Alianza Lima, scoring for a South American club. Learn about her journey and India's AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 team.

Star India and Alianza Lima forward Manisha Kalyan has created history by becoming the first woman footballer from the country to score a goal for a South American club. She scored one goal and assisted with another as Lima beat Universidad Católica 4-1 in a friendly game played in Chile.

Last month, Manisha made history by becoming the first Indian woman to sign for a top-division club in South America, stepping into a football arena dominated by Brazil, Argentina and Colombia.

Beyond the historic first, the transfer was a calculated step, one that aligned with Manisha’s ambitions, Lima’s vision and the long-term interests of the Indian national team.

Watch Manisha’s goal here:

Manisha’s journey started far from elite academies and world-class facilities. Raised in Muggowal village in Punjab, she focused on athletics and basketball, developing the speed, endurance and physical toughness that would later become hallmarks of her footballing style.

With no girls’ teams to join, Manisha trained alongside boys, an environment that sharpened her mental resilience and forged a fierce competitive streak from a young age.

Meanwhile, the All India Football Federation on Friday retained eight experienced players from the previous edition and included six uncapped names in the 26-member India women’s national football team squad for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, all set to be held in Australia.

Drawn in Group C, India open their campaign against Vietnam on March 4 at Perth Rectangular Stadium at 4:30 pm IST. They then face Japan on Saturday, March 7, at the same venue and time, before concluding the group stage against Chinese Taipei on March 10 at Western Sydney Stadium, with kickoff all set for 2:30 pm IST.

Eight of the 26 footballers in the team featured in the previous edition of the Asian Cup, which India hosted in 2022, Sweety Devi Ngangbam, Shilky Devi Hemam, Sanju, Anju Tamang, Pyari Xaxa, Grace Dangmei, Manisha and Sowmiya Narayanasamy. But India were forced to pull out of the tournament after just one game because of a COVID-19 outbreak within the team.

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