Valverde, 39, who hails from Costa Rica, has joined the Indian camp in Antalya, Turkiye, where the Blue Tigresses are preparing for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026, scheduled for March. Valverde joins the existing coaching staff – Crispin Chettri, Priya PV, and Mario Aguiar – to strengthen the Indian senior women’s team.
The Indian Football governing body defended its decision to bring in World Cup-experienced Costa Rican coach Amelia Valverde, insisting the move is aimed solely at maximising India’s qualification chances.
“It will help the team because if someone has got World Cup experience, they will bring that much extra,” a top AIFF official told Sports Now. “Crispin is anyway there as the coach. We are getting someone else because it’s a different thing, taking a team to the Asian Cup and a World Cup spot in sight.”
Responding to questions over timing, the official rejected suggestions that the appointment had come too late. “If we win two games, we are going to get into the World Cup. So why shouldn’t we put in extra effort?” he said before adding, “It is a great chance for us to push harder.”
Regarding the working relationship between Valverde and the existing head coach, Crispin Chettri, AIFF dismissed concerns about authority and hierarchy. “She has a Pro Licence, and obviously she has more experience, and Crispin will learn from her. So that’s a good thing, and both are professionals and will work in tandem.”
Addressing confusion over who will lead the team on the bench, the official added, “Why create controversy about who is the head coach? Even in cricket, the final team is announced later. We will also announce it. You have to wait.”
As India prepares for the Asian Cup, the federation remained firm in its stance. “We have come so close,” the official said. “What is wrong with trying to push the team over the line?”
Who Is Amelia Valverde?
Amelia Valverde, who is a former football player, began coaching in 2011 and was the longest-serving coach of the Costa Rican women’s national team, leading the South American team from 2015 to 2023. Under her tutelage, Costa Rica participated in the 2015 and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cups, their only appearances in the event. She was the second-youngest head coach at the 2015 World Cup at 28. Before that, she was an assistant coach of the Costa Rica senior and U20 women’s teams, including at the 2014 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup
Valverde led the Costa Rican senior side to the gold medal at the 2017 Central American Games, silver medal at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games, and bronze medal at the 2019 Pan American Games. She was named the CONCACAF Female Coach of the Year in 2016.
After leaving the Costa Rica national team, Valverde became the coach of Mexican club CF Monterrey in 2023. She achieved immediate success, winning a historic Bicampeonato in 2024 by lifting the Liga MX Femenil Clausura title in July and the Apertura title in November. That year, Valverde was awarded the Mexican Balón de Oro for best coach in the Liga MX Femenil by the Mexican Football Federation.