The long-standing political friction between India and Pakistan has once again spilled over into sport, this time affecting women’s football, as Pakistan officially withdrew from the 2026 SAFF Women’s Championship.
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) confirmed the decision on Thursday, citing escalating tensions between the two nations. The move reduces the tournament to a six-team competition, with the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) proceeding with a revised format for the event scheduled in Goa from May 25 to June 6 at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao.
The development is another reminder of how geopolitical strain in South Asia continues to interrupt regional sporting ties beyond cricket, limiting opportunities for athletes on both sides.
This year’s edition will mark the second time India hosts the SAFF Women’s Championship, after the 2016 tournament in Siliguri, where India lifted their fourth title. Goa, meanwhile, will stage its second SAFF event, having previously hosted the 1999 men’s championship at the same venue, where India defeated Bangladesh in the final.
Following Pakistan’s withdrawal, the draw conducted at the SAFF Secretariat in Dhaka has confirmed two groups among the remaining six teams: India (hosts), Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh (defending champions), Bhutan and Maldives.
The absence is a setback for Pakistan women’s football, which has been attempting to rebuild after years of limited international exposure and internal challenges. The tournament was seen as an important platform for the side to gain competitive experience and visibility in the region.
Pakistan’s decision also follows a pattern of recent withdrawals from India-hosted events, including the men’s junior hockey World Cup and the Asia Cup, further underscoring how diplomatic tensions continue to shape sporting participation in South Asia.
India remains the most successful side in the competition’s history with five titles (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2019), while Bangladesh has dominated the last two editions, winning in 2022 and 2024.