In the final held in Goa on Saturday, India defeated Bangladesh 3–1 to secure the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 title. For India, Sunfida Nongrum, Pyari Xaxa, and Linda Kom each scored a goal. Bangladesh, the champions of the last two editions, finished as runners-up this time, while Nepal, eliminated in the semifinals, was unable to claim the title.
The final match played on 23 Jestha in Kathmandu saw India achieve a comfortable victory to lift the title for the sixth time in the tournament’s history. This marks India’s return to the top after a seven-year gap. Bangladesh’s Ritu Porna Chakma scored a consolation goal, but it was not enough to turn the match around. Bangladesh had defeated Nepal 2–1 in the semifinals, while India secured their final spot by narrowly defeating Bhutan 1–0.
With this win, India has now claimed the SAFF Women’s Championship title six times in total, having previously won in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2019. Bangladesh, the winners of the last two editions in 2022 and 2024, settled for second place this year. Nepal, which was runner-up in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2019, 2022, and 2024, remains without a championship title, having been eliminated this time in the semifinals.
