Pakistan withdraw from SAFF Women’s Championship in India

LAHORE: The return of the women’s national football team to the regional stage has been halted as Pakistan officially withdrew from the 2026 SAFF Women’s Championship.

The decision, rooted in the persistent political tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi, leaves the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) to move forward with a reduced six-team lineup for the tournament scheduled in Goa.

The withdrawal comes as a significant blow to the momentum of women’s football in Pakistan. 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.

With Pakistan’s exit, the tournament organizers have finalized a six-nation format. The official draw, held recently at the SAFF Secretariat in Dhaka, divided the remaining teams into two competitive groups:

The teams Nepal, India (Hosts), Sri Lanka, Bangladesh (Defending Champions), Bhutan and Maldives have been divided into two groups. The championship will take place at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao from May 25 to June