India Drawn with Bangladesh and Maldives for SAFF Women’s Championship 2026

by Chandler D'silva April 23, 2026

The India women’s national football team have been drawn in Group B alongside Bangladesh women’s national football team and Maldives women’s national football team for the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026, following the official draw held in Dhaka.

The tournament will be hosted in India from May 25 to June 6, with all matches set to be played at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. This marks the second time India will host the competition, having previously done so in 2016, when they lifted the title.

Group A consists of Nepal women’s national football team, Sri Lanka women’s national football team, and Bhutan women’s national football team. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals scheduled for June 3, with the final set to take place on June 6.

India will begin their campaign against Maldives on May 25 at 19:30, before facing Bangladesh on May 31 in what promises to be a crucial group-stage encounter.

The seeding for the draw was based on the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings, with India (69th) placed in Pot 1 alongside Nepal. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were in Pot 2, while Bhutan and Maldives completed Pot 3.

India enter the tournament as the most successful side in its history, having won the title five times (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2019). However, Bangladesh will pose a strong challenge as the reigning back-to-back champions, having lifted the trophy in 2022 and 2024.

Groups

Group A: Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan
Group B: India, Bangladesh, Maldives

Fixtures

May 25, 2026
16:30 – Bhutan vs Nepal
19:30 – Maldives vs India

May 28, 2026
16:30 – Sri Lanka vs Bhutan
19:30 – Bangladesh vs Maldives

May 31, 2026
16:30 – Nepal vs Sri Lanka
19:30 – India vs Bangladesh

June 3, 2026 (Semi-finals)
16:00 – Group A Winners vs Group B Runners-up
20:00 – Group B Winners vs Group A Runners-up

June 6, 2026 (Final)
18:30 – Final

With home advantage and a rich history in the competition, India will be aiming to reclaim the SAFF Women’s Championship title, setting up an exciting tournament in Goa.

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