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India Set to Host SAFF Women's Championship 2026 with Bangladesh and Maldives in Group B

The Indian women's national football team has been drawn into Group B for the SAFF Women's Championship 2026, alongside Bangladesh and the Maldives. Scheduled to take place in Goa from May 25 to June 6, this tournament will see the top teams from each group advance to the semi-finals. This marks India's second time hosting the championship, having previously done so in 2016. With a rich history of success, India aims to reclaim its title against strong competitors. Read on for more details about the tournament structure and past champions.
By Narendra Chaudhary | Apr 22, 2026, 14:16 IST
India Set to Host SAFF Women's Championship 2026 with Bangladesh and Maldives in Group B gyanhigyan

SAFF Women's Championship 2026 Group Draw

The Indian women's national football team has been placed in Group B alongside Bangladesh and the Maldives for the upcoming South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women's Championship 2026. This announcement was made following the draw conducted at the SAFF Secretariat located in Dhaka, Bangladesh.


Tournament Details

Scheduled to take place in Margao, Goa, the tournament will run from May 25 to June 6, 2026. Group A features Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.


Venue Information

All matches for the SAFF Women's Championship 2026 will be held at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, as confirmed by a press release from the All India Football Federation (AIFF).


India's Previous Hosting Experience

This event marks the second occasion India will host the SAFF Women's Championship, following the 2016 tournament held in Siliguri, West Bengal, where the Blue Tigresses secured their fourth title. Additionally, this will be the second time Goa has hosted a SAFF tournament, having previously held the men's championship in 1999 at the same stadium, where India triumphed over Bangladesh in the final.


Seeding and Rankings for the Draw

The seeding for the SAFF Women's Championship 2026 draw was based on the latest FIFA Women's World Rankings released on April 21. India (ranked 69th) and Nepal (87th) were placed in Pot 1, while Bangladesh (112th) and Sri Lanka (162nd) were in Pot 2. Bhutan (164th) and the Maldives (167th) were assigned to Pot 3.


Historical Champions

India holds the record for the most titles in the SAFF Women's Championship, having won five championships in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2019. Bangladesh claimed victory in the last two editions held in 2022 and 2024.


Final Group Draw for SAFF Women's Championship 2026

SAFF WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP 2026 FINAL DRAW
GROUP A: Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan
GROUP B: India (hosts), Bangladesh, Maldives.


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