India Aims for Glory in Inaugural SAFF Women's Futsal Championship 2026

India is gearing up for the inaugural SAFF Women's Futsal Championship 2026, aiming to secure their first international victory in women's futsal. The Futsal Tigresses will kick off their campaign against the Maldives on January 13, 2026, in Thailand. With a squad rich in youthful talent and prior Asian competition experience, the team is determined to claim the championship title. Coach Joshuah Vaz and captain Jigmet Chunzen express confidence in their preparations despite challenges posed by limited information on opponents. The tournament will feature matches against several nations, culminating in the crowning of the first-ever champions. This event is seen as a significant step in promoting futsal in South Asia.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 11, 2026, 19:04 IST

India's Ambitious Entry into the Championship

India is set to participate in the first-ever SAFF Women's Futsal Championship in 2026, aiming to secure top honors in the region. This tournament presents a unique opportunity for India to achieve its inaugural victory in international women's futsal and potentially earn its first trophy.

Kickoff Details

The Futsal Tigresses will launch their campaign against the Maldives on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at the Nonthaburi Stadium in Thailand, with the match scheduled for 12:30 IST, according to the AIFF.

Team Composition and Ambitions

India's experience in the AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers last year, under head coach Joshuah Vaz, has been instrumental in preparing the team. The squad consists of 14 players, seven of whom have prior Asian competition experience, including Tanvi Mavani, Achom Degio, Arya More, Radhika Patel, Pooja Gupta, Ritika Singh, and Khushbu Saroj.

Coach and Captain on Title Aspirations

Vaz expressed confidence in the team's objectives, stating, "After our first match, we will gain a clearer understanding of our opponents. Insights typically emerge once the tournament kicks off." Captain Jigmet Chunzen, making her debut for India, echoed the team's goal: "This is the inaugural SAFF Women's Futsal Championship, and we are here with the aim of winning the tournament. That is our ultimate objective."

Preparation and Challenges

The team arrived in Thailand on January 7 following a month-long training camp in Bengaluru. Vaz noted the challenge of preparing for opponents with limited historical data, stating, "Currently, we have minimal information about our rivals. Most come from football-centric nations with past SAFF football tournament experience, but data on futsal is scarce." He emphasized the youthful nature of the squad, with an average age of around 21 years, and their commitment to compete fiercely. "We are here to win and will give our best throughout the championship," he added. Jigmet remarked, "Every team is here to win. The team that performs best on the court over the next two weeks will have the opportunity to lift the trophy."

Tournament Schedule and Format

Following their match against the Maldives, India will compete against Bangladesh on January 15, Nepal on January 17, Pakistan on January 19, Bhutan on January 23, and Sri Lanka on January 25, all at Nonthaburi Stadium. The team with the highest points at the end of the seven matches will be crowned the first-ever SAFF Women's Futsal champions.

Promoting Futsal in South Asia

Vaz also emphasized the significance of this tournament for advancing futsal in South Asia. He stated, "I commend SAFF for initiating this futsal championship. Establishing a robust futsal foundation will enable SAFF nations to develop and compete at the AFC level, ultimately strengthening football in the region."