As ties between the two countries deteriorate, Pakistan's national football team has formally withdrew from the 2026 SAFF Women's Championship, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) announced on Thursday. The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) will proceed with a smaller six-team lineup for the competition, which is set to take place at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, from May 25 to June 6. The decision is based on ongoing political concerns between India and Pakistan. After winning their fourth championship in Siliguri, West Bengal, in 2016, India will host the SAFF Women's Championship for the second time. Additionally, it will be Goa's second SAFF competition.The PJN Stadium hosted the 1999 men's championship, which India won after defeating Bangladesh in the championship match.
The event administrators have decided on a six-nation format following Pakistan's withdrawal. The remaining teams were split into two competitive groups by the official draw, which took place recently at the SAFF Secretariat in Dhaka. These groups included Nepal, India (hosts), Sri Lanka, Bangladesh (defending champions), Bhutan, and the Maldives.
The withdrawal hurts Pakistani women's football's momentum. It was anticipated that the national side would use this opportunity to highlight its developing talent after years of administrative obstacles and little exposure abroad. Rather, the team is the most recent victim of the geopolitical tension that regularly interferes with bilateral and regional sporting events in South Asia.

In November of last year, Pakistan withdrew from the men's junior hockey World Cup, which was being hosted in Tamil Nadu, India. Additionally, they did not send a senior men's squad to Rajgir for the Asia Cup.
Notably, India has won the SAFF Women's Championship a record five times, in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2019. The previous two games, in 2022 and 2024, were won by Bangladesh.