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Pakistan Withdraws from 2026 SAFF Women's Championship in India Amid Tensions

Pakistan has withdrawn from the 2026 SAFF Women's Championship due to political tensions with India. The tournament will now feature six teams instead of seven, with the draw already completed. The withdrawal hurts Pakistan women's football momentum after years of administrative challenges. India are record five-time champions, while Bangladesh won the last two editions.

Key Points: Pakistan Withdraws from SAFF Women's Championship in India

  • Pakistan withdraws from 2026 SAFF Women's Championship in Goa
  • Decision due to worsening India-Pakistan relations
  • Tournament reduced to six teams from seven
  • Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives remain
  • Pakistan women's football loses key international exposure
2 min read

Pakistan withdraw from SAFF Women's Championship in India

Pakistan pulls out of 2026 SAFF Women's Championship in Goa due to political tensions with India, reducing the tournament to six teams.

"The decision, rooted in the persistent political tensions between India and Pakistan, leaves the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) to move forward with a reduced six-team lineup - Pakistan Football Federation"

Lahore, April 23

Pakistan national football has officially withdrawn from the 2026 SAFF Women's Championship amid the worsening relations between the two nations, the Pakistan Football Federation said on Thursday.

The decision, rooted in the persistent political tensions between India and Pakistan, leaves the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) to move forward with a reduced six-team lineup for the tournament scheduled to take place at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, from May 25 to June 6.

This will mark the second time India will host the SAFF Women's Championship, after the 2016 edition in Siliguri, West Bengal, where India won their fourth title. It will also be the second time that Goa will stage a SAFF tournament. The men's championship of 1999 was also held at the PJN Stadium, where India won the title, defeating Bangladesh in the final.

With Pakistan's exit, the tournament organisers have finalised a six-nation format. The official draw, held recently at the SAFF Secretariat in Dhaka, divided the remaining teams into two competitive groups: Nepal, India (Hosts), Sri Lanka, Bangladesh (Defending Champions), Bhutan and Maldives have been divided into two groups.

The withdrawal comes as a blow to the momentum of Pakistan women's football. After years of administrative hurdles and limited international exposure, the national side had been expected to use this platform to showcase its evolving talent. Instead, the team becomes the latest casualty of the geopolitical friction that frequently disrupts bilateral and regional sporting engagements in South Asia.

Pakistan had earlier pulled out of the men's junior hockey World Cup in November last year when it was held in Tamil Nadu, India. They also did not send their senior men's team to the Asia Cup in Rajgir.

Nitably, India are the record five-time champions of the SAFF Women's Championship, having won titles in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2019. Bangladesh have won the last two editions in 2022 and 2024.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Another sports event suffers due to cross-border tensions. This is the second time Pakistan has withdrawn, first hockey and now football. At least India is hosting well and keeping the tournament alive for other teams. Bangladesh are strong contenders but India has a good chance at home this time. Go Girls! 🇮🇳
A
Arjun K
Pakistan fans must be disappointed. Their women's team has so much potential but limited exposure due to such issues. On the brighter side, the tournament in Goa will still be exciting with six teams. India's record speaks for itself, but we must not take Bangladesh lightly. Football unites, politics divides. A real shame. 😔
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Vikram M
Honestly, can't blame Pakistan for this. When your government doesn't allow travel or participation due to tensions, what can the federation do? Sadder for the players though. I feel for the women who trained so hard. Sports should be a bridge, not a victim of politics. But reality is different. Hope the other teams have a great tournament in Margao! 🏆
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James A
As a football fan from the UK, this is disheartening to see. The SAFF Championship needs all its teams to grow the sport. Pakistan's absence weakens the competition. India have the home advantage, but I wonder if there's any diplomatic effort to bring back normalcy in sports between the two nations. Politics always complicates things. Hope for better days.
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Kavya N
Sad but expected. 🤷‍♀️ The pattern is clear: whenever tensions rise, sports get pulled in. The women's team from Pakistan hasn't played much in India anyway. I'm more concerned about how our own

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