The upcoming SAFF Women’s Championship in Goa will proceed without Pakistan, as the visiting side has not received the required government clearance to travel to India. The absence of one of South Asia’s key teams adds a significant subplot to a tournament that marks the competition’s return to Indian soil after nearly a decade.
According to officials from the Pakistan Football Federation, the team’s participation was halted due to administrative restrictions. “We have not been issued an NOC (No Objection Certificate) by the relevant authorities,” a spokesperson of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) told Al Jazeera.
The SAFF Women’s Championship, organised by the South Asian Football Federation, is scheduled to take place from May 25 to June 7 at the Fatorda Stadium. The venue will host all matches of the tournament, which returns to India for the first time since 2016, when Siliguri served as host city.
Pakistan’s absence comes against the backdrop of strained relations between the two neighbouring nations. Sporting exchanges have increasingly been affected in recent years, with bilateral contests often influenced by broader political tensions. In Pakistan, all national teams require government approval for overseas tours, making such clearances a crucial step in participation.
The tournament draw, held in Dhaka, confirmed a six-team competition featuring India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Maldives. Pakistan was notably missing from the list, reshaping the group dynamics ahead of the competition.
As per the official draw, Group A will include Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, while hosts India are placed in Group B alongside defending champions Bangladesh and Maldives. The format ensures that the top two teams from each group progress to the semi-finals, setting up a knockout stage that will culminate in the final on June 7.
India enters the tournament with a rich history in the competition. Having won the title a record five times since its inception in 2010, the hosts will be aiming to reclaim dominance after missing out in the previous edition. The 2024 tournament in Nepal saw Bangladesh emerge victorious, defeating the hosts 2-1 in the final to secure the title.
For Bangladesh, the upcoming edition presents an opportunity to defend their crown and build on recent success. Nepal, runners-up in the last edition, will also look to challenge strongly, especially with the advantage of continuity in their squad. Meanwhile, teams like Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Maldives will aim to make deeper runs and disrupt the traditional hierarchy of the competition.
Pakistan’s absence also alters the competitive balance. In the previous edition, they exited at the group stage after a heavy defeat to India and a draw against Bangladesh. While they were not among the favourites, their participation added depth and regional rivalry to the tournament. The fixture list promises an engaging schedule.
Opening day will see Bhutan face Nepal, followed by India taking on Maldives in the evening clash. Key matches in the group stage include India versus Bangladesh on May 31, a contest that could determine the top spot in Group B. The semi-finals are scheduled for June 3, leading into the final on June 7.
For Indian football, hosting the championship is another step in strengthening the women’s game domestically. The All India Football Federation has been actively working to increase exposure and competitive opportunities for the national team, and a successful tournament could further boost momentum.
While Pakistan’s absence is a notable development, the focus now shifts to the teams that will take the field in Goa. With regional pride at stake and a growing spotlight on women’s football in South Asia, the 2026 SAFF Women’s Championship promises to deliver competitive football and emerging stories.
As the countdown begins, all eyes will be on Margao, where the region’s best teams gather to compete for supremacy and continue shaping the future of women’s football in South Asia.
SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 Final Draw
Group A: Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan
Group B: India (hosts), Bangladesh, Maldives
SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 Fixtures
Monday, May 25:
16:30, Bhutan vs Nepal
19:30, Maldives vs India
Thursday, May 28:
16:30, Sri Lanka vs Bhutan
19:30, Bangladesh vs Maldives
Sunday, May 31:
16:30, Nepal vs Sri Lanka
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
