2026 SAFF U-19 Women's Championship

2026 SAFF U-19 Women's Championship
Tournament details
Host countryNepal
Dates31 January–7 February 2026
Teams4 (from 1 sub-confederation)
Venue1 (in Pokhara host cities)
Final positions
Champions India (3rd title)
Runners-up Bangladesh
Tournament statistics
Matches played7
Goals scored34 (4.86 per match)
Attendance1,606 (229 per match)
Top scorer(s) Alpi Akter
(7 goals)
Best player Alpi Akter
Best goalkeeper Munni
Fair play award India
← 2025
2027 →

The 2026 SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship was the 7th edition of the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship, an international youth football tournament contested by women’s under-19 national teams from South Asia and organised by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF). The tournament was held in Pokhara, Nepal, from 31 January to 7 February 2026, with four national teams participated.

India is the current champion having defeated Bangladesh by 4–0 goals in the final of the tournament on 7 February 2026.[1]

Host selection

The host nation for the tournament was selected by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) during a virtual meeting of its Executive Committee held on 20 November 2025 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. During the meeting, SAFF officials reviewed hosting arrangements and logistical preparedness before officially awarding the hosting rights to Nepal. The decision confirmed Nepal as the tournament venue and continued the country’s role in staging regional youth women’s football competitions under the SAFF umbrella.[2]

Participating nations

The following four nations took part in the tournament.

Legend

  Did not participate

Country Appearance Previous best performance
 Bangladesh 7th Champions (2018, 2021, 2023, 2024[a], 2025)
 Bhutan 6th Fourth-place (2018, 2023, 2024)
 India U17[b] 6th Champions (2022, 2024[a])
 Maldives
   Nepal (Host) 7th Runners-up (2018, 2023)
 Pakistan
 Sri Lanka
  1. ^ a b Bangladesh and India were the joint champion.
  2. ^ Though the tournament is for U-20 age group, India fielded their U-17 team as a preparatory tournament for the 2026 AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup.[3]

Squads

The following squads were announced ahead of the tournament.

 Bangladesh[4]  Bhutan[5]  India U17[6]    Nepal[7]
  • Mst Yearzan Begum
  • Meghla Rani Roy
  • Ishita Tripura
  • Mst Joynob Bibi Rita
  • Arpita Biswas Arpita
  • Sorovi Rani
  • Kranuching Marma
  • Puja Das
  • Protima Munda
  • Mst Surovi Akter Afrin
  • Munki Akhter
  • Shanti Mardi
  • Mst Bonna Khatun
  • Rupa Akter
  • Mst Momita Khatun
  • Thuinuye Marma
  • Mst Mira Khatun
  • Sree Moti Trishna Rani
  • Alpi Akter
  • Mamoni Chakma
  • Purnima Marma
  • Ayonto Bala Mahato
  • Sauravi Akanda Prity
  • Dekhi Yangzom
  • Sonam Choden
  • Kelzang Yangmo
  • Ugyen Tshomo
  • Kinley Zangmo
  • Kinley Yangdon
  • Tenzin Lhazom
  • Kelzan Wangmo
  • Ngawang Choki
  • Sonam Yangden
  • Tshendu Tshering
  • Susmita Subba
  • Jingme T. Choden
  • Sonam Choden
  • Tsheing Lhamo
  • Pema Dekar
  • Chorten Zangmo
  • Pema Lhazin
  • Nima Wangmo
  • Sonam Choden
  • Tsheing Lham
  • Khandu Tshomo
  • Sangay Wangmo
  • Shelna Maria Sajit
  • Surajmuni Kumari
  • Munni Bhambhu
  • Akashi Naik
  • Alena Devi Sarangthem
  • Alisha Lyngdoh
  • Binita Horo
  • Divyani Linda
  • Elizabed Lakra
  • Joyshini Chanu Huidrom
  • Taniya Devi Tonambam
  • Abhista Basnett
  • Alva Devi Senjam
  • Anita Dungdung
  • Julan Nongmaithem
  • Pritika Barman
  • Redima Devi Chingkhamayum
  • Shveta Rani
  • Thandamoni Baskey
  • Anushka Kumari
  • Anwita Raghuraman
  • Pearl Fernandes
  • Valaina Fernandes
  • Aliza BK
  • Anita Rana Magar
  • Ashika Karki
  • Barsha Kuwor
  • Barsha Oli
  • Bhumika Budhithoki
  • Gyansu Dolmo Lo
  • Jharna Dumrakoti
  • Juna Tamang
  • Kritisha Tamang
  • Maya Maski
  • Min Maya Shrestha
  • Nirmala Acharya
  • Prajita Rai
  • Purnima Tadi
  • Saara Limbu
  • Sabnam Rai
  • Saloni Kumari Chaudhary
  • Sangita Kumari Malla
  • Senu Paariyar
  • Srijana Baduwal
  • Sushila KC
  • Yam Kumari BK

Venue

All the matches were played at the Pokhara Rangasala in Pokhara, Nepal.

Pokhara
Pokhara Rangasala
Capacity: 18,500

Match officials

Referees
  • Choki Om (†)
  • Tshering Yangkey (†)
  • Saraban Tahura (†)
  • Mahi Tudu (†)
  • Anjana Rai (†)
Assistant Referees
  • Soahana Khatun
  • Salma Akter Mone
  • Kinzang Choden
  • Sushmita Rai
  • Merina Dhimal
Referee Assessors
  • Bina Nawachhe Shrestha
Match commissioners
  • Mindu Dorji
  • Suvrat Suresh Thatte

(†): Also performed as assistant referee and others role in some matches.

Round robin

Each team will play each other. The top two teams contest in the final.

Key to colours in group tables
Table top two teams advance to the final
Tiebreakers

Teams are ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss), and if tied on points, the following tie-breaking criteria are applied, in the order given, to determine the rankings.

  1. Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  2. Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  3. Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  4. If more than two teams are tied, and after applying all head-to-head criteria above, a subset of teams are still tied, all head-to-head criteria above are reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams;
  5. Goal difference in all group matches;
  6. Goals scored in all group matches;
  7. Disciplinary points (yellow card = 1 point, red card as a result of two yellow cards = 3 points, direct red card = 3 points, yellow card followed by direct red card = 4 points);
  8. Drawing of lots.
All times listed below are local, NST (UTC+05:45).

Standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification  BAN  IND    NEP  BHU
1  Bangladesh 3 3 0 0 18 0 +18 9 Qualified for the Final 2–0 4–0 12–0
2  India 3 2 0 1 9 2 +7 6 1–0 8–0
3    Nepal 3 1 0 2 2 6 −4 3 2–1
4  Bhutan 3 0 0 3 1 22 −21 0
Source: Sofascore
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) goals scored

Matches

Match 1
Bangladesh 12–0 Bhutan
  • Chakma 28'
  • Rani 43', 54', 60'
  • Akhter 44', 45+3', 81', 90+3'
  • A. Akter 73', 86', 90+5'
  • Biswas 90+4'
 Report
Attendance: 30
Referee: Anjana Rai (Nepal)
Match 2
 India U171–0   Nepal
  • P. Fernandes 49'
 Report
Attendance: 116
Referee: Tshering Yangkey (Bhutan)
Match 3
Bangladesh 2–0 India U17
  • Biswas 29'
  • A. Akter 40'
 Report
Attendance: 250
Referee: Choki Om (Bhutan)
Match 4
Nepal   2–1 Bhutan
  • Baduwal 36'
  • Rai 69'
 Report
  • Choden 87'
Attendance: 470
Referee: Mahi Tudu (India)
Match 5
 India U178–0 Bhutan
  • Lyngdoh 6'
  • Basnett 10'
  • P. Fernandes 16', 38', 40'
  • Linda 17'
  • Barman 25', 89'
 Report
Attendance: 150
Referee: Saraban Tahura (Bangladesh)
Match 6
Bangladesh 4–0   Nepal
  • Munda 3'
  • A. Akter 45+4', 67', 82'
 Report
Attendance: 340
Referee: Mahi Tudu (India)

Final

Bangladesh 0–4 India U17
Report
Attendance: 250
Referee: Om Choki (Bhutan)

Winners

 2026 SAFF U-20 Women's Championship Champions 

India
3rd title

Awards

The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament:

Most Valuable Player Top Goalscorers Best goalkeeper Fair Play Ref.
Alpi Akter Alpi Akter Munni  India [8]

Statistics

Goalscorers

There were 34 goals scored in 7 matches, for an average of 4.86 goals per match.

7 goals

  • Alpi Akter

5 goals

  • Pearl Fernandes

4 goals

3 goals

  • Sree Moti Trishna Rani

2 goals

  • Arpita Biswas
  • Pritika Barman

1 goal

  • Mamoni Chakma
  • Protima Munda
  • Sonam Choden
  • Abhista Basnett
  • Alisha Lyngdoh
  • Divyani Linda
  • Anwita Raghuraman
  • Elizabed Lakra
  • Julan Nongmaithem
  • Prajita Rai
  • Srijana Baduwal

Source: Sofascore

Hat trick

As of 7 February 2026
Player Against Result Date Ref
Munki Akhter4  Bhutan 12–0 31 January 2026 [9]
Alpi Akhter  Bhutan 12–0 31 January 2026 [9]
Sree Moti Trishna Rani  Bhutan 12–0 31 January 2026 [9]
Pearl Fernandes  Bhutan 8–0 4 February 2026 [10]
Alpi Akhter    Nepal 4–0 4 February 2026 [11]

Broadcasting

Broadcaster(s) Territory Reference
Sportzworkz
(YouTube Channel) 		No restricted territory SPORTZWORKZ

See also

References

  1. ^ "ফাইনালে বড় হার বাংলাদেশের". www.tsports.com (in Bengali). 7 February 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  2. ^ "জানুয়ারীতে মেয়েদের যুব সাফ হবে নেপালে". www.barta24.com (in Bengali). 20 November 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  3. ^ "23-member Indian squad leave for Pokhara to play SAFF U19 Women's C'ship". All India Football Federation. 29 January 2026. Archived from the original on 30 January 2026. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  4. ^ "Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has officially announced the squad and officials for the SAFF U19 Women's Championship 2026 in Nepal". Facebook. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  5. ^ "Meet the fierce and talented U19 Bhutan Girls' National Team. Ready to showcase their skills and spirit at the SAFF Championship in Nepal. Go Bhutan💪". Facebook. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  6. ^ "India's 23-Member U-19 Women's Team Heads to SAFF, Featuring Sikkim's Abista Basnett". Northeast Live. 30 January 2026.
  7. ^ "Nepal national U-19 women's team for the SAFF U-19 Women's Championship to be held in Pokhara from January 31". Facebook. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  8. ^ "সর্বাধিক গোলদাতা ও টুর্নামেন্ট সেরা বাংলাদেশের আলপি আক্তার". www.jagonews24.com (in Bengali). 7 February 2026. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  9. ^ a b c "তিন হ্যাটট্রিকে বাংলাদেশের গোলবন্যা". www.itvbd.com (in Bengali). 31 January 2026. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  10. ^ "India thrash Bhutan to book SAFF U19 Women's C'ship final date with Bangladesh". www.the-aiff.com. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  11. ^ "আলপির হ্যাটট্রিকে বাংলাদেশের জয়ের হ্যাটট্রিক". www.deshrupantor.com (in Bengali). 4 February 2026. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
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