By Sachit Subba • Football • Apr 22, 2026 13:35 PM • 28 views
KATHMANDU – Nepal is set to launch its quest for an elusive regional title against Bhutan in the opening match of the SAFF Women's Championship 2026, scheduled to kick off on May 25 (Jeth 11) in Goa, India. This tournament remains the pinnacle of South Asian women's football, featuring a competitive lineup of Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka in Group A, while heavyweights India and defending champions Bangladesh are joined by the Maldives in Group B. For Nepal, a nation that has reached the final in nearly every edition of the tournament but has yet to hoist the trophy, the stakes couldn't be higher as they look to shed their "perennial runners-up" tag.
The path to the knockout stages for the Himalayan nation continues on May 31 (Jeth 17) with a pivotal group clash against Sri Lanka. Under the tournament format, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals on June 3, culminating in a grand finale on June 6. Despite their formidable reputation on the pitch, Nepal's preparation has been marred by off-field controversy. The national team's participation was shrouded in uncertainty following a three-month suspension of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) by the National Sports Council (NSC). This administrative paralysis has delayed the start of the national camp, leaving newly appointed head coach Nabin Neupane with a race against time to prepare his 35-player preliminary squad.
The opening day in Goa will be a double-header of high-octane football, with Nepal taking on a rapidly improving Bhutanese side in the afternoon, followed by regional giants India facing the Maldives in the evening. As the tournament progresses, the Group B finale between India and Bangladesh on May 31 is expected to be a blockbuster encounter, likely deciding who avoids a potential semifinal showdown with Nepal. For Neupane's side, the focus remains firmly on tactical cohesion and physical fitness, as they aim to overcome their delayed start and finally secure the silver silverware that has evaded them since the championship's inception.
