Blue Tigresses' name 23-member squad for SAFF Women's Championship 2026
New Delhi, May 23
Indian senior women's national team head coach Crispin Chettri on Saturday announced the Blue Tigresses' 23-member final squad for the SAFF Women's Championship 2026 that will be held in Margao, Goa, from May 25 to June 6.
The preliminary squad of 26 players was announced on Tuesday. From that list, three players have been released -- defender Shubhangi Singh, midfielder Priyadharshini Selladurai, and forward Rimpa Haldar, according to a release.
22 players are currently part of the camp. Manisha Kalyan, who plies her trade in Peru for Alianza Lima, can only join when the FIFA International Match Window begins on June 1.
India, placed in Group B, will open their campaign against the Maldives on May 25 at 19:30 before taking on Bangladesh on May 31 at 19:30.
Group A contains Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. The top two teams from each group will make it to the semi-finals, which will be held on June 3. The final will take place on June 6 at 18:30. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will be the venue for all matches of the SAFF Women's Championship 2026. The matches will be streamed live on FanCode.
India's 23-member squad for the SAFF Women's Championship 2026:
Goalkeepers: Panthoi Chanu Elangbam, Ribansi Jamu, Shreya Hooda.
Defenders: Astam Oraon, Juli Kishan, Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam, Purnima Kumari, Ranjana Chanu Sorokhaibam, Sarita Yumnam, Thoibisana Chanu Toijam.
Midfielders: Aveka Singh, Jasoda Munda, Priyangka Devi Naorem, Sanfida Nongrum, Sangita Basfore, Shilky Devi Hemam.
Forwards: Grace Dangmei, Karishma Shirvoikar, Lynda Kom Serto, Malavika P, Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa, Soumya Guguloth.
Head coach: Crispin ChettriAssistant coaches: Sujata Kar and Nivetha RamadossGoalkeeping coach: Mario AguiarStrength and conditioning coach: Amit Yadav
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-up20:00, Group B Winners vs Group A Runners-up
Saturday, June 7:18:30, Final
Venue: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao, Goa.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally some good news for Indian women's football! 🙌 The squad looks balanced with a mix of experience and youth. Disappointed for Rimpa Haldar though - she's been working hard. But that's the nature of selection. Important that Manisha will join once the FIFA window opens. Bangladesh will be a tough test - we need to be at our best in that group match.
Good squad but I hope the defence is strong enough this time. We conceded some silly goals in recent tournaments. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao is a great venue - the Goan crowd always supports football well. Let's hope the team doesn't feel too much pressure playing at home. Semi-finals should be achievable if we beat Maldives and give Bangladesh a tough game.
So happy to see so many players from Northeast India in the squad! 🤩 Panthoi Chanu from Manipur, Pyari Xaxa from... well the name says it! The diversity of Indian women's football is truly special. But I'm honestly concerned about the preparation - only a short camp before the tournament. Our women deserve better infrastructure and more international friendlies. Hope the team management addresses these gaps going forward.
Rooting for the Blue Tigresses! 🐯 We have some real stars - Manisha playing professionally in Peru is a massive boost, and Grace Dangmei's pace is always a threat. The midfield with Sangita Basfore and Aveka Singh looks solid. I'd love to see us win this and build momentum for the Asian Cup qualifiers later this year. Come on girls! 🇮🇳⚽
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