The SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 draw has thrown up an intriguing matchup for hosts India, who will face Bangladesh and Maldives in Group B. Conducted at SAFF headquarters in Dhaka, the draw paves the way for high-stakes encounters from May 25 to June 6 at Goa’s Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao.
Group A features Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, with the group winners and runners-up progressing to the semi-finals.
India’s hosting role is a repeat performance after the triumphant 2016 edition in Siliguri, where they lifted the trophy. Goa, a historic venue, last hosted the men’s SAFF Championship in 1999.
Rankings from FIFA’s April 21 update dictated the pots: Pot 1 had India (69) and Nepal (87); Pot 2 included Bangladesh (112) and Sri Lanka (162); Pot 3 comprised Bhutan (164) and Maldives (167).
Boasting a record five SAFF Women’s titles (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2019), India approaches the event with pedigree. Yet Bangladesh, back-to-back winners in 2022 and 2024, arrives as the team to beat.
Momentum favors India after their U-17 side’s dominant 4-0 final win over Bangladesh in the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship in Pokhara this year. The senior team’s recent 3-2 thriller against Malawi in Nairobi further bolsters spirits.
Home crowds and recent form position the Blue Tigresses perfectly to chase another SAFF crown in Goa.
