The much-anticipated SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 will proceed without Pakistan, confirming long-standing concerns over their participation. Due to ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two neighbouring countries, Pakistan will not be sending its women’s national football team to compete in the tournament, leaving the competition to be contested by six nations.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from 25 May to 7 June at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa, India. Initially, participation from all seven South Asian Football Federation member associations was expected. However, Pakistan failed to confirm their entry within the stipulated deadline, effectively ruling themselves out of the competition.
According to a senior official involved in the organisation, Pakistan’s absence is now considered certain, even though an official written withdrawal statement has not yet been formally released. The deadline for confirmation has already expired, and it is widely believed that the Pakistan government was reluctant to approve the team’s travel to India due to prevailing political sensitivities.
Participating teams overview
| Nation | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| India | Host nation | Confirmed |
| Bangladesh | Confirmed | Active participant |
| Nepal | Confirmed | Strong contender |
| Bhutan | Confirmed | Developing football nation |
| Sri Lanka | Confirmed | Regular participant |
| Maldives | Confirmed | Consistent entrant |
| Pakistan | Withdrawn | Did not confirm entry |
Sporting relations between India and Pakistan have long been shaped by geopolitical tensions. Over the years, bilateral series and cross-border participation in tournaments have frequently been disrupted, often requiring neutral venues or special arrangements to ensure fixtures take place.
In cricket, for instance, Pakistan’s fixtures in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup are scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka rather than India, reflecting ongoing logistical and political sensitivities. Similarly, Pakistan withdrew from the 2025 Asia Cup hockey tournament at the last moment due to security concerns, although they did participate in the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy held in Chennai, marking a rare instance of direct sporting engagement on Indian soil in recent years.
Football has seen similar fluctuations. Pakistan’s men’s national team did travel to India for the 2023 SAFF Championship, marking their return to Indian soil after several years. However, that momentum has not extended to the women’s team, which will now miss the 2026 edition entirely.
Organisers have confirmed that the revised schedule remains unchanged, and the tournament will proceed as planned with six teams. The competition is expected to retain its competitive structure despite the absence of Pakistan, with India, Bangladesh, and Nepal likely to be among the stronger contenders.
The development once again highlights how South Asian sport remains deeply intertwined with regional politics. While the SAFF Women’s Championship continues to grow in stature and competitiveness, its progress is still periodically influenced by diplomatic realities beyond the pitch.
