Study OAS · 08 June 2026

SAFF Women’s Championship 2026

What’s the News?

• India hosted the 8th edition of the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026, the premier women’s football tournament of South Asia.
• The tournament featured six participating nations of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) and was held in Goa.
• India ended its seven-year title drought by reclaiming the SAFF Women’s Championship crown, reaffirming its position as a major force in South Asian women’s football.

SAFF Women’s Championship

• The SAFF Women’s Championship is the flagship international women's football competition in South Asia.
• Organized by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF).
• First held in:
  • 2010
• Frequency:
  • Traditionally biennial, though SAFF is considering making it an annual event to promote women's football in the region.

Participating Teams (2026)

• India

• Bangladesh

• Nepal

• Sri Lanka

• Bhutan

• Maldives

• Pakistan did not participate in the 2026 edition.

Tournament Format

• Six teams were divided into two groups of three teams each.
• The top two teams from each group advanced to the semi-finals.
• The winners of the semi-finals qualified for the final.

Group Composition

Group A

• Nepal
• Sri Lanka
• Bhutan

Group B

• India
• Bangladesh
• Maldives

India’s Performance

• India entered the tournament seeking to end a prolonged title drought.
• The victory marked:
  • India's return to the top of South Asian women’s football.
  • A boost for the development of women’s football in the country.
• India remains the most successful team in the tournament's history.

Key Facts

• Host: India (Goa)
• Venue: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Fatorda Stadium), Margao
• Edition: 8th
• Governing Body: SAFF

Additional Info

South Asian Football Federation (SAFF)

• Regional football governing body of South Asia.
• Established:
  • 1997
• Functions:
  • Organizes regional football competitions.
  • Promotes football development among member nations.
  • Functions under the umbrella of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

SAFF Member Countries

• India
• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• Maldives
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Sri Lanka

Governing Bodies in Football

• FIFA: Global governing body of football.
• AFC (Asian Football Confederation): Continental football governing body for Asia.
• SAFF: Regional football federation for South Asia.

Sources

• Wikipedia