PM Modi Congratulates India On SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 Triumph

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated the Indian women’s football team on winning the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026. He lauded the team’s performance throughout the tournament.

The Prime Minister said the triumph would encourage more youngsters to play football.

Taking to X, PM Modi posted, “Congratulations to the Indian Women’s Football Team on winning the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026. They have played excellently through the tournament. This will encourage more youngsters to play football in the coming times. Best wishes to the team for their future endeavours.”

Congratulations to the Indian Women’s Football Team on winning the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026. They have played excellently through the tournament. This will encourage more youngsters to play football in the coming times. Best wishes to the team for their future endeavours. pic.twitter.com/U18avWmpP6

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 7, 2026

India secured the SAFF Women’s Championship title after defeating defending champions Bangladesh 3-1 in the final at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, on Saturday.

The victory ended a seven-year wait for the regional crown and marked India’s return to the top of South Asian women’s football for the first time since 2019.

The hosts enjoyed a dominant campaign, winning all four of their matches.

India scored 18 goals during the tournament while conceding only once. The triumph also denied Bangladesh a chance to win a third consecutive SAFF Women’s Championship title.

India opened the scoring in the 42nd minute through Pyari Xaxa. Bangladesh responded in first-half stoppage time when Ritu Porna Chakma levelled the score. India, however, regained the lead just 40 seconds after the restart as Sanfida Nongrum found the net.

Substitute Lynda Kom Serto added a third goal in the 82nd minute to seal the victory and help India lift a record-extending sixth SAFF Women’s Championship trophy.

The final showcased a contest between the region’s two strongest sides.

While Bangladesh entered the match as defending champions, India was determined to reclaim a title it had missed out on in the previous two editions.

The celebrations reflected the significance of the achievement. Sanfida Nongrum, who scored in both the semi-final and final, dropped to her knees after the final whistle before embracing teammate Dangmei Grace, who announced her retirement following the match.

Players and support staff joined the celebrations as India once again emerged as champions of South Asian women’s football.

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