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Pakistan denied NOC to participate in SAFF Women’s Championship in Goa; team absent from schedule
Pakistan’s women’s national football team was not issued an NOC to play in the SAFF Championship in Goa, leading to their absence from the tournament. The event is scheduled for May 25 to June 7, 2026, at Fatorda Stadium in Margao, Goa, with the draw and schedule already set for teams including India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives and Bangladesh. The article places the decision in the context of broader India-Pakistan tensions and recalls past SAFF results.
Why It Matters
The development affects regional women’s football representation and highlights how diplomatic tensions can influence sports participation in South Asia.
Timeline
7 Events
April 24, 2026: SAFF Women's Championship history
April 24, 2026
The SAFF women's championship is a biennial event; the inaugural edition took place in 2010, and India has won it five times. The 2024 edition was the last one before 2026.
April 24, 2026: Tournament dates and venue
April 24, 2026
The tournament is set to kick off on May 25 and run until June 7, 2026, in Goa, with all matches at Fatorda Stadium in Margao; the last time the event was hosted was in 2016 in Siliguri.
April 24, 2026: SAFF championship schedule and Pakistan's absence
April 24, 2026
The SAFF Women's Championship schedule was unveiled in Dhaka; Pakistan is not included in the schedule, which features Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives and Bangladesh.
April 24, 2026: NOC not issued to Pakistan for SAFF Women's Championship
April 24, 2026
Pakistan has not been issued an NOC by the relevant authorities to participate in the SAFF Women's Championship in Goa, according to a Pakistan Football Federation spokesperson cited by Al Jazeera.
May 2025: India-Pakistan short war referenced
May 2025
The article notes a short war between India and Pakistan fought in May 2025, contributing to deteriorating relations between the neighbours.
2025 Asia Cup context in Dubai (cricket) and tensions
2025
The 2025 Asia Cup in Dubai, UAE, is described as acrimonious, with India beating Pakistan in all three matches including the final. Indian players reportedly refused to shake hands with Pakistani players; Haris Rauf gestured during one match.
2024 SAFF Women's Championship held in Nepal; final and Pakistan performance
2024
The last SAFF Women's Championship was held in Nepal in 2024. Bangladesh defeated Nepal 2-1 in the final. Pakistan failed to advance beyond the group stage, suffering a 5-2 defeat to India and drawing with Bangladesh.