The Pakistan women's football team has officially withdrawn from the 2026 SAFF Women's Championship, which is being hosted by India, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) announced on Thursday, as reported by news agency IANS.
The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) had previously confirmed that all seven member associations would participate in the tournament, describing it as "one of the premier women's football events in the region." However, with Pakistan's withdrawal, the competition will now feature six teams.
The championship is scheduled to take place at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, from May 25 to June 6. This marks the second time India will host the SAFF Women's Championship, following the 2016 edition in Siliguri, where India clinched their fourth title. It will also be the second SAFF tournament held in Goa; the men's SAFF Championship in 1999 was staged at the same venue, with India defeating Bangladesh in the final.
Following Pakistan's exit, the remaining six teams—Nepal, India (hosts), Sri Lanka, Bangladesh (defending champions), Bhutan, and Maldives—have been placed into two groups after the draw conducted at the SAFF Secretariat in Dhaka.
Impact on Pakistan women's football
The withdrawal is a setback for Pakistan women's football, which has been striving to gain more international exposure after facing administrative hurdles and limited match opportunities in recent years. Pakistan had also pulled out of the men's junior hockey World Cup held in Tamil Nadu in November last year and did not send their senior men's team to the Asia Cup in Rajgir.
India's dominance in SAFF Women's Championship
India are the most successful team in the SAFF Women's Championship, having won five titles in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2019. Bangladesh have won the last two editions in 2022 and 2024.
Draw results
- Group A: Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan
- Group B: India, Bangladesh, Maldives
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