The Pakistan Football Federation has officially withdrawn from the 2026 SAFF Women's Championship (23 April announcement), reducing participation to six teams — the tournament will be hosted by India at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa from 25 May to 6 June 2026; Group A includes Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, while Group B features hosts India, defending champions Bangladesh, and Maldives.
पाकिस्तान फ़ुटबॉल महासंघ ने 2026 SAFF महिला चैम्पियनशिप से आधिकारिक रूप से हटने की घोषणा की (23 अप्रैल) — भागीदारी 6 टीमों तक सीमित; टूर्नामेंट भारत द्वारा मार्गांव, गोवा के पंडित जवाहरलाल नेहरू स्टेडियम में 25 मई से 6 जून 2026 तक आयोजित; ग्रुप A में नेपाल, श्रीलंका, भूटान; ग्रुप B में मेज़बान भारत, गत विजेता बांग्लादेश, एवं मालदीव।
Why in News
The 2026 SAFF Women's Championship — scheduled to be hosted by India in Goa — will now be played with six teams after Pakistan officially withdrew from the tournament. The Pakistan Football Federation confirmed the decision on 23 April 2026, reducing the expected participation from seven member nations. The event will run from 25 May to 6 June at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao. Following Pakistan's withdrawal, the remaining six teams were placed into two groups after the official draw at the SAFF Secretariat in Dhaka. Group A includes Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan; Group B features hosts India, defending champions Bangladesh, and Maldives. India remain the most successful side in SAFF Women's Championship history — winning five consecutive titles in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2019. However, Bangladesh have emerged as the new dominant force, winning the last two editions in 2022 and 2024. This will be the second time India hosts the women's championship, after the 2016 edition in Siliguri where they also lifted the trophy. The Margao venue also holds historical significance: the men's SAFF Championship in 1999 was played at the same stadium, where India defeated Bangladesh in the final.
At a Glance
- Tournament
- 2026 SAFF Women's Championship
- Host
- India
- Venue
- Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao, Goa
- Tournament dates
- 25 May to 6 June 2026
- Participating teams
- 6 (down from 7 after Pakistan's withdrawal)
- Pakistan withdrawal
- Announced by the Pakistan Football Federation on 23 April 2026
- Group A
- Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan
- Group B
- India (hosts), Bangladesh (defending champions), Maldives
- India's title record
- 5 consecutive titles — 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2019
- Bangladesh's recent dominance
- Defending champions — won 2022 and 2024 editions
- India's hosting history
- Second time hosting the Women's Championship — first was 2016 in Siliguri (India won)
- Draw venue
- SAFF Secretariat, Dhaka (Bangladesh)
- Margao historical note
- Men's SAFF Championship 1999 played at the same stadium; India defeated Bangladesh in the final
The 2026 SAFF Women's Championship — scheduled to be hosted by India in Goa — will now be played with six teams after Pakistan officially withdrew from the tournament. The Pakistan Football Federation confirmed the decision on 23 April 2026, reducing the expected participation from seven SAFF member nations. The event will run from 25 May to 6 June 2026 at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao. Following Pakistan's withdrawal, the remaining six teams were placed into two groups after the official draw at the SAFF Secretariat in Dhaka: Group A includes Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan; Group B features hosts India, defending champions Bangladesh, and Maldives. The revised format is expected to make the competition tighter, especially in Group B where two strong sides (India and Bangladesh) will compete directly. India remain the most successful side in SAFF Women's Championship history — winning five consecutive titles in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2019. Bangladesh have emerged as the new dominant force, winning the last two editions in 2022 and 2024. This will be the second time India hosts the women's championship after the 2016 edition in Siliguri, where they also lifted the trophy. The Margao venue — Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium — also holds historical significance in South Asian football: the men's SAFF Championship of 1999 was played at the same stadium, where India defeated Bangladesh in the final. The Pakistan women's team had been seeking more international exposure after facing administrative disruptions and limited match opportunities in recent years. SAFF = South Asian Football Federation — the governing body for football in South Asia, with seven member associations.
2026 SAFF महिला चैम्पियनशिप — जिसकी मेज़बानी भारत को गोवा में करनी थी — पाकिस्तान के टूर्नामेंट से आधिकारिक रूप से हटने के बाद अब 6 टीमों के साथ खेली जाएगी। पाकिस्तान फ़ुटबॉल महासंघ ने 23 अप्रैल 2026 को निर्णय की पुष्टि की — सात SAFF सदस्य राष्ट्रों से अपेक्षित भागीदारी 6 तक कम। यह आयोजन 25 मई से 6 जून 2026 तक मार्गांव के पंडित जवाहरलाल नेहरू स्टेडियम में चलेगा। पाकिस्तान के हटने के बाद ढाका में SAFF सचिवालय में आधिकारिक ड्रॉ के बाद शेष 6 टीमों को दो समूहों में रखा गया: ग्रुप A में नेपाल, श्रीलंका एवं भूटान; ग्रुप B में मेज़बान भारत, गत विजेता बांग्लादेश एवं मालदीव। ग्रुप B में दो मज़बूत पक्ष (भारत एवं बांग्लादेश) सीधे प्रतिस्पर्धा करेंगे। भारत SAFF महिला चैम्पियनशिप इतिहास की सबसे सफल टीम है — लगातार 5 खिताब (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2019)। बांग्लादेश हालिया प्रमुख शक्ति के रूप में उभरी है — पिछली दो संस्करण (2022 एवं 2024) जीते। यह दूसरी बार होगा जब भारत महिला चैम्पियनशिप की मेज़बानी कर रहा है — पहला 2016 सिलीगुड़ी संस्करण (भारत विजेता)। मार्गांव का पंडित जवाहरलाल नेहरू स्टेडियम दक्षिण एशियाई फ़ुटबॉल में ऐतिहासिक महत्व रखता है — 1999 पुरुष SAFF चैम्पियनशिप इसी स्टेडियम में खेली गई थी जहाँ भारत ने फ़ाइनल में बांग्लादेश को हराया।
Group समूह | Teams टीमें | Notes टिप्पणियाँ |
|---|---|---|
Group A ग्रुप A | Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan नेपाल, श्रीलंका, भूटान | Relatively open group अपेक्षाकृत खुला समूह |
Group B ग्रुप B | India (host), Bangladesh (defending champions), Maldives भारत (मेज़बान), बांग्लादेश (गत विजेता), मालदीव | Host vs defending champions मेज़बान बनाम गत विजेता |
Static GK
- •SAFF: South Asian Football Federation — regional governing body for association football in South Asia; founded 1997; headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh
- •SAFF member nations (7): India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
- •SAFF Women's Championship: Premier women's international football tournament in South Asia; biennial format; first edition 2010
- •India's SAFF Women's record: 5 consecutive titles: 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2019; most successful team in the tournament's history
- •Recent winners: Bangladesh won 2022 and 2024 editions — currently the defending champions
- •Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Margao): Football stadium in Fatorda, Margao, Goa; capacity ~19,000; major South Asian football venue; also known as Fatorda Stadium
- •SAFF Championship (men): Men's biennial tournament; started 1993; India is the most successful team; 1999 edition at Margao had India defeat Bangladesh in the final
- •AIFF: All India Football Federation — governing body for football in India; founded 1937; headquartered in New Delhi; FIFA member
- •Pakistan Football Federation (PFF): Governing body for football in Pakistan; has faced administrative disruptions in recent years including FIFA suspensions
- •Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF): Governing body for football in Bangladesh; hosts SAFF Secretariat in Dhaka
Timeline
- 1997SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) founded.
- 1999Men's SAFF Championship held at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao — India defeats Bangladesh in the final.
- 2010Inaugural SAFF Women's Championship — India wins first title.
- 2012India wins second consecutive SAFF Women's Championship.
- 2014India wins third consecutive title.
- 2016India hosts the Women's Championship in Siliguri and wins fourth consecutive title.
- 2019India wins fifth consecutive title — cementing record as most successful side.
- 2022Bangladesh win the Women's Championship — ending India's streak.
- 2024Bangladesh retain the title — become defending champions heading into 2026.
- 23 April 2026Pakistan Football Federation announces withdrawal from the 2026 tournament.
- 25 May-6 June 20262026 SAFF Women's Championship scheduled in Margao, Goa.
- →Pakistan withdrew = 23 April 2026. 7 members se 6 teams.
- →Venue = Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, MARGAO, GOA. Also called Fatorda Stadium.
- →Dates = 25 May to 6 June 2026.
- →Group A = Nepal + Sri Lanka + Bhutan.
- →Group B = India (host) + Bangladesh (defending champions) + Maldives.
- →India titles = 5 CONSECUTIVE: 2010 + 2012 + 2014 + 2016 + 2019. Most successful.
- →Bangladesh = last two winners (2022 + 2024). Current defending champions.
- →India hosted WOMEN'S championship before = 2016, Siliguri. India won that too.
- →Margao historical note: Men's SAFF 1999 same stadium. India beat Bangladesh in final.
- →SAFF founded = 1997. HQ = Dhaka, Bangladesh. 7 members = India + Bangladesh + Bhutan + Maldives + Nepal + Pakistan + Sri Lanka.
- →Draw venue = SAFF Secretariat, Dhaka.
Exam Angles
Pakistan has withdrawn from the 2026 SAFF Women's Championship — reducing participation to 6 teams; the tournament runs 25 May-6 June at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao, Goa; Group A = Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan; Group B = India (host), Bangladesh (defending champions), Maldives; India hold the record with 5 consecutive titles (2010-2019).
Q1. The 2026 SAFF Women's Championship will be hosted at which venue?
- A.Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
- B.Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao (Goa)
- C.Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi
- D.Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru
tap to reveal answer
Answer: B. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao (Goa)
The 2026 SAFF Women's Championship will be held at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (also known as Fatorda Stadium) in Margao, Goa. Tournament dates: 25 May to 6 June 2026.
Q2. India has won the SAFF Women's Championship five consecutive times in which years?
- A.2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016
- B.2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2019
- C.2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020
- D.2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022
tap to reveal answer
Answer: B. 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2019
India won five consecutive SAFF Women's Championship titles in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2019. Bangladesh have since won the last two editions (2022 and 2024), becoming defending champions.
Q3. In Group B of the 2026 SAFF Women's Championship, India will play against:
- A.Nepal and Sri Lanka
- B.Bhutan and Maldives
- C.Bangladesh and Maldives
- D.Pakistan and Sri Lanka
tap to reveal answer
Answer: C. Bangladesh and Maldives
Group B comprises India (hosts), Bangladesh (defending champions), and Maldives. Group A has Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. Pakistan withdrew before the tournament.
Q4. SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) was founded in:
- A.1985
- B.1997
- C.2001
- D.2010
tap to reveal answer
Answer: B. 1997
SAFF was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It has seven member associations — India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
Q5. The defending champions heading into the 2026 SAFF Women's Championship are:
- A.India
- B.Nepal
- C.Bangladesh
- D.Maldives
tap to reveal answer
Answer: C. Bangladesh
Bangladesh are the defending champions, having won the 2022 and 2024 editions of the SAFF Women's Championship. They overtook India's long streak of five consecutive titles (2010-2019).
Common Confusions
- Trap · Men's SAFF 1999 vs Women's 2026 at same stadium
Correct: The Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Fatorda), Margao has hosted BOTH: the MEN'S SAFF Championship 1999 (India beat Bangladesh in final) and now the WOMEN'S SAFF Championship 2026. Don't confuse the two editions or tournaments — different years, different gender categories, same venue.
- Trap · India's 2016 hosting — Siliguri vs Margao
Correct: India's first SAFF Women's Championship hosting was in 2016 at SILIGURI (West Bengal). The 2026 hosting is in MARGAO (Goa) — different city, different state. India won the 2016 trophy in Siliguri.
- Trap · India's title count
Correct: 5 consecutive titles = 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2019. Not 4, not 6. Five in a row. Note the gap — no 2018 edition; 2019 came next after 2016. Bangladesh then won 2022 and 2024.
- Trap · SAFF founding year vs first Women's Championship
Correct: SAFF founded = 1997. First SAFF WOMEN'S Championship = 2010. First SAFF MEN'S Championship = 1993 (predates SAFF's 1997 founding as a formalised body — the tournament existed earlier in other formats). Don't conflate the federation's founding with either tournament's inaugural edition.
- Trap · SAFF membership count
Correct: SAFF has 7 member associations — India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. Afghanistan was briefly associated but moved to Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) in 2015 — so 7 members currently.
- Trap · SAFF HQ location
Correct: SAFF Secretariat is in DHAKA, BANGLADESH — not in India. That's why the 2026 draw was held in Dhaka.
Flashcard
Q · 2026 SAFF Women's Championship — venue, dates, groups, and historical record?tap to reveal
Suggested Reading
- SAFF — official websitesearch: saffederation.org women's championship 2026 Goa
- All India Football Federation (AIFF)search: the-aiff.com women football SAFF championship
Prerequisites · concepts to brush up first
- Basic structure of SAFF and its member nations
- Difference between SAFF Championship (men) and SAFF Women's Championship
- Indian football governance (AIFF)