The Pakistan SAFF Exit 2026 has changed the structure of the upcoming SAFF Women’s Championship. The tournament, set to take place in Goa, will now feature six teams instead of seven. The decision was confirmed by the Pakistan Football Federation on April 23. The event will run from May 25 to June 6 at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

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Pakistan Withdraws Before Kick-off

Pakistan’s withdrawal came just before the tournament began. Earlier, the South Asian Football Federation had announced full participation from all member nations. The Pakistan women’s team has faced challenges in recent years, including administrative issues and fewer international matches. This exit affects their chances to gain valuable exposure at the regional level.

Revised Groups After Exit

After the Pakistan SAFF Exit 2026, the tournament format was adjusted. The remaining six teams were divided into two groups:

Group A: Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan
Group B: India, Bangladesh, Maldives

Group B is expected to be highly competitive, as both India and Bangladesh are strong teams in women’s football.

India’s Record and Bangladesh’s Rise

India has been the most successful team in the history of the SAFF Women’s Championship. They won five consecutive titles from 2010 to 2019. India also hosted the tournament earlier in 2016 at Siliguri and won the title that year.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh has emerged as a strong force, winning the last two editions in 2022 and 2024. Their recent performances have made them a serious contender again in 2026.

Goa’s Importance as Host Venue

This will be the second SAFF tournament hosted in Goa. The stadium in Margao has historic value, as it also hosted the men’s SAFF Championship in 1999. The venue remains important for South Asian football and is expected to attract strong regional attention once again.