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.
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.
Participating nations The following four nations took part in the tournament. Legend
Country Appearance Previous best performance 7th Champions (2018, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025) 6th Fourth-place (2018, 2023, 2024) 6th Champions (2022, 2024) 7th Runners-up (2018, 2023)
The following squads were announced ahead of the tournament.
Squads The following squads were announced ahead of the tournament.
(H) 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 ★ Head coach: Peter Butler 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 ★ Head coach: Tanka Maya Ghalley 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 ★ Head coach: Pamela Conti 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 ★ Head coach: Suman Shrestha
Venue All the matches were played at the Pokhara Rangasala in Pokhara, Nepal. PokharaPokhara 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 tablesTable top two teams advance to the final Tie-breaking criteriaTeams 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. Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams; Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams; Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams; 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; Goal difference in all group matches; Goals scored in all group matches; 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); Drawing of lots. All times listed below are local, NST (UTC+05:45)
Standings
Matches
Final
Winners
Awards The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament:
Most Valuable PlayerTop GoalscorersBest goalkeeperFair Play Ref. Alpi Akter Alpi Akter Munni
Statistics Goalscorers
Hat trick
Player Against Result Date Ref Munki Akhter412–031 January 2026 Alpi Akhter12–031 January 2026 Sree Moti Trishna Rani12–031 January 2026 Pearl Fernandes8–04 February 2026 Alpi Akhter4–04 February 2026
Broadcasting Broadcaster(s) Territory Reference Sportzworkz(YouTube Channel) No restricted territory SPORTZWORKZ
See also 2026 SAFF U-20 Championship 2026 SAFF Championship 2026 SAFF Futsal Championship 2026 SAFF Club Championship 2026 SAFF U-17 Women's Championship 2026 SAFF Women's Championship 2026 SAFF Women's Futsal Championship
References
External links Official website SAFF U-19 Women's Championship at GSA