India Unveils Preliminary Squad for SAFF Women’s Championship 2026

The Indian women's national football team, led by coach Crispin Chettri, has announced a 26-member preliminary squad for the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 in Goa. With matches starting on May 25 against the Maldives, the team is gearing up for a competitive tournament. Key players are set to join the squad, including those from international leagues. The final squad will be confirmed soon, and fans can look forward to an exciting series of matches at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Stay tuned for updates on the team's journey in the championship.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 20, 2026, 02:02 IST

Announcement of the Preliminary Squad

The head coach of the Indian senior women's national football team, Crispin Chettri, revealed the 26-member preliminary squad for the upcoming SAFF Women’s Championship 2026, scheduled to take place in Margao, Goa, from May 25 to June 6.

Player Arrivals and Camp Details

Most players gathered in Goa on Tuesday following the conclusion of the Indian Women’s League 2025-26 in Kolkata. Players from East Bengal are expected to join the training camp on Wednesday after their league matches wrap up.

Aveka Singh, currently with Naestved HG in Denmark, will arrive later this week, while Manisha Kalyan, who plays for Alianza Lima in Peru, will join the squad when the FIFA International Match Window opens on June 1.

Tournament Structure and Group Matches

The final squad of 23 players will be announced shortly before the tournament begins. India is placed in Group B and will kick off their campaign against the Maldives on May 25, followed by a match against Bangladesh on May 31.

Group A consists of Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, set for June 3, with the final match scheduled for June 6 at 18:30. All matches will be held at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Preliminary Squad Breakdown

India's preliminary squad for the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 includes:

Goalkeepers: Panthoi Chanu Elangbam, Ribansi Jamu, Shreya Hooda.

Defenders: Astam Oraon, Juli Kishan, Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam, Purnima Kumari, Ranjana Chanu Sorokhaibam, Sarita Yumnam, Shubhangi Singh, Thoibisana Chanu Toijam.

Midfielders: Aveka Singh, Jasoda Munda, Priyadharshini Selladurai, Priyangka Devi Naorem, Sanfida Nongrum, Sangita Basfore, Shilky Devi Hemam.

Forwards: Grace Dangmei, Karishma Shirvoikar, Lynda Kom Serto, Malavika P, Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa, Rimpa Haldar, Soumya Guguloth.

Head Coach: Crispin Chettri

Match Schedule

India's fixtures:

Monday, May 25: 19:30, Maldives vs India

Sunday, May 31: 19:30, India vs Bangladesh

Wednesday, June 3 (Semi-finals): 16:00, Group A Winners vs Group B Runners-up; 20:00, Group B Winners vs Group A Runners-up

Saturday, June 7: 18:30, Final

Venue: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao, Goa.