India grouped with Bangladesh, Maldives at SAFF Women’s Championship

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New Delhi: India were clubbed with Bangladesh and the Maldives in the group stage of the SAFF Women’s Championship, according to a draw on Wednesday.

Six team will participate in the tournament to be held in Margao, Goa, from May 25 to June 6 with India placed in Group B while Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan slotted in Group A.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals, as per the draw conducted at SAFF’s headquarters in Dhaka, with Pakistan being the notable absentee as they have decided not to send a team.

India will host the tournament for the second time after hosting and winning the 2016 edition in Siliguri, West Bengal, for their title.

Goa will host a SAFF tournament for the second time after the men’s championship in 1999, which was also staged at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium where India beat Bangaldesh in the final to lift the title.

India are the most successful team in the SAFF Women’s Championship, with five title in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2019. However, Bangladesh have won its last two editions in 2022 and 2024.

“The seeding for the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 draw was done in accordance with the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings issued on April 21. India (69th) and Nepal (87th) were placed in Pot 1. Bangladesh (112th) and Sri Lanka (162nd) were placed in Pot 2. Bhutan (164th) and Maldives (167th) were placed in Pot 3,” AIFF said in a statement.

The Indian team will be coached by Crispin Chettri, who returned to the hot seat after AIFF decided not to extended Amelia Valverde‘s contract after the Women’s Asian Cup.

The draw:

Group A: Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan Group

B: India, Bangladesh, Maldives.