India win SAFF Women's Championship 2026, beat Bangladesh 3-1 in Goa final
Synopsis
India reclaimed the SAFF Women's Championship after seven years, beating Bangladesh 3-1 in Goa to lift a record sixth title — and the match doubled as a farewell for legend Dangmei Grace, who retired with 95 caps and her third SAFF crown. President Murmu hailed the win as a catalyst for young female athletes nationwide.
Key Takeaways
India defeated Bangladesh 3-1 in the SAFF Women's Championship 2026 final at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao, Goa .
The victory is India's sixth SAFF Women's title and their first since 2019 .
Goals from Pyari Xaxa (42'), Sanfida Nongrum (46') and substitute Lynda Kom Serto (82') secured the win after Bangladesh equalised in stoppage time.
Dangmei Grace retired after the match with 95 international caps and 3 SAFF titles , having debuted in 2013 .
President Droupadi Murmu congratulated the team via a post on X, calling the win an inspiration for young girls across India.
The Indian women's football team clinched the SAFF Women's Championship 2026 title on 7 June 2025, defeating defending champions Bangladesh 3-1 in a gripping final at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa. The victory marks India's return to the summit of South Asian women's football for the first time since 2019 — and a record-extending sixth SAFF Women's title.
President Murmu Congratulates the Blue Tigresses
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday extended her 'heartiest congratulations' to the squad, praising their 'exceptional skill, determination and teamwork throughout the tournament.' In a post on X, the President expressed confidence that 'their remarkable achievement will inspire young girls across the nation to pursue their dreams with confidence and courage.'
How the Final Unfolded
Pyari Xaxa put India ahead in the 42nd minute, only for Ritu Porna Chakma to level for Bangladesh in first-half stoppage time. India regained the lead just 40 seconds into the second half through Sanfida Nongrum, before substitute Lynda Kom Serto sealed the win in the 82nd minute, sending the Blue Tigresses into a jubilant celebration.
Nongrum's Tournament, Grace's Farewell
Sanfida Nongrum was among the standout performers of the tournament, scoring in both the semi-final and the final. As the final whistle sounded, she dropped to her knees before embracing Dangmei Grace, who announced her retirement from international football after the match. Grace, one of the most decorated players in Indian women's football, earned 95 caps since her debut in 2013 and signed off with her third SAFF title.
Why This Win Matters
India had last won the SAFF Women's Championship in 2019, and the seven-year gap made this reclamation particularly significant. The tournament win arrives at a moment when investment in women's football — from grassroots academies to the Indian Women's League — has been steadily growing. Notably, several match-winners in this squad hail from the Northeast, underlining the region's outsized contribution to Indian football. This is the sixth time India have lifted the trophy, extending their own record as the most successful nation in the championship's history.
What Comes Next
The Blue Tigresses will look to carry this momentum into upcoming AFC qualification fixtures. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is yet to announce the team's next competitive engagement, but the squad's cohesion and depth on display in Goa will be a strong foundation to build on.
Point of View
And India's return to the top carries a message beyond the scoreline. The Northeast continues to be the engine of Indian women's football — Nongrum, Serto, and Grace all hail from the region, yet national investment in grassroots infrastructure there remains uneven. The AIFF would do well to treat this win not as a destination but as a baseline: the AFC landscape is far more competitive, and the same squad that demolished Bangladesh will face a sterner test of whether the domestic pipeline is deep enough to sustain results at the continental level.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the SAFF Women's Championship 2026?
India won the SAFF Women's Championship 2026, defeating Bangladesh 3-1 in the final held at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa. It is India's record-extending sixth title in the tournament.
Who scored for India in the SAFF Women's Championship 2026 final?
Pyari Xaxa scored in the 42nd minute, Sanfida Nongrum added the second just 40 seconds into the second half, and substitute Lynda Kom Serto sealed the win in the 82nd minute. Bangladesh's Ritu Porna Chakma had equalised in first-half stoppage time.
Did Dangmei Grace retire after the SAFF final?
Yes, Dangmei Grace announced her retirement from international football after the final. She ends her career with 95 caps since her 2013 debut and three SAFF Women's Championship titles.
When did India last win the SAFF Women's Championship before 2026?
India last won the SAFF Women's Championship in 2019. The 2026 title ends a seven-year wait and restores India to the top of South Asian women's football.
What did President Droupadi Murmu say about India's SAFF win?
President Droupadi Murmu posted on X extending 'heartiest congratulations' to the team, praising their 'exceptional skill, determination and teamwork.' She expressed confidence that the achievement would inspire young girls across India to pursue their dreams.
