Pakistan has officially withdrawn from the 2026 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women’s Championship amid worsening relations with India, the Pakistan Football Federation announced Thursday. The decision reduces the tournament to six teams, with matches scheduled at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, from May 25 to June 6. This will be the second time India hosts the women’s championship, following the 2016 edition in Siliguri, where India claimed their fourth title.
The withdrawal is seen as a setback for Pakistan women’s football, which had hoped to use the platform to showcase emerging talent after years of limited exposure. The official draw has grouped Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh (defending champions), Bhutan, and Maldives into two pools. Pakistan’s exit echoes past withdrawals from sporting events in India, including the men’s junior hockey World Cup and Asia Cup. India, a record five-time champion, and Bangladesh, winners of the last two editions, remain the tournament favorites.