In a significant move for women’s Football in India, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has appointed Swedish tactician Joakim Alexandersson as head coach of the U20 and U17 women’s national teams. Alexandersson’s journey in Indian football will begin with a two-month national camp scheduled in Bengaluru from December 10.
The 48-year-old takes on his new role as part of a cooperation agreement between the AIFF and the Swedish Football Association, underlining a growing commitment to the development of women’s football in the country.
Alexandersson brings with him a wealth of experience, both as a player and coach. His defensive prowess was honed during a notable playing career with IF Elfsborg, where he captained the team and celebrated numerous trophy victories. Additionally, he represented Sweden at the U21 level. Since his transition to coaching, he has been a driving force at IF Elfsborg, guiding various youth teams, including the Elite U17, U16, U15 and U14 teams, to numerous league titles while facilitating the journey of many young talents moving towards senior football.
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AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey expressed his appreciation for the partnership with the Swedish FA, saying, “I would like to express my gratitude to the Swedish FA for the collaboration. This will help Indian women footballers get better opportunities. ” He added that a team of four female coaches and two goalkeeping coaches will work alongside Alexandersson, aiming to identify and develop talent through collaboration with national scouts and member associations.
Additionally, the AIFF is exploring the possibility of increasing the number of foreign players allowed in the Indian Women’s League, emphasizing their continued commitment to improving the competitive landscape. Chaubey also thanked the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for the support extended to 90 leagues in three age categories under the Khelo India initiative, which aims to significantly expand the player base.
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Alongside Alexandersson, coaches Nivetha Ramadoss, Amrutha Aravind, Sradhanjali Samantaray and Nidhi, as well as goalkeeping mentorship provided by KK Hameed and Dipankar Choudhury, the initial plan includes two friendlies against Maldives on December 30 and January 2, 2025 , with a broader vision of organizing extended training camps lasting seven to eight months per year for women’s teams, as well as 10-12 exhibition matches against competitive teams.
AIFF Deputy General Secretary M Satyanarayan, who oversees the national teams, said: “This is part of our long-term planning for women’s football. We are preparing a two-year plan with Alexandersson for the 2026 Asian Games and the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.”
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Expressing his enthusiasm, Alexandersson said: “I am very excited about this challenge. I feel India has great potential. Football is a great sport here and everyone wants to improve, so I think I have a good opportunity here and I’m looking forward to it.” With a current ranking of 13th in Asia for senior women’s football, the AIFF aims to raise the bar through comprehensive strategies at junior level, with Alexandersson set to engage regularly with scouts to realize this vision.
