A rivalry between two South Asian neighbours, a trophy on the line, and two teams desperate for a confidence boost after a rough 2026 — the India Women vs Bangladesh Women clash at the SAFF Women’s Championship on May 31 at the PJN Stadium, Margao, is shaping up to be unmissable.
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India vs Bangladesh: The Storyline Heading In
India are the highest-ranked side in the tournament at 69th in the FIFA Women’s Rankings, and have started their campaign with a dominant 11-0 thrashing of Maldives. But history has a way of humbling the favourites.
Bangladesh, ranked 112th, are the defending champions — having won the last two editions of the SAFF Women’s Championship — and are aiming to defend their title successfully for the second straight edition. Bangladesh’s recent form against India has been anything but weak: the Bengal Tigresses won the last two meetings between the two sides.
Both teams also endured painful campaigns at the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup — India lost all three matches including an 11-0 hammering by eventual winners Japan, while Bangladesh conceded 11 goals and scored none across their three group games. The SAFF Championship is about redemption for both.
All-Time Head-to-Head Record
| Stat | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 12 |
| India Women Wins | 9 |
| Bangladesh Women Wins | 2 |
| Draws | 1 |
| SAFF Championship meetings | 8 (India 5W, Bangladesh 2W) |
| Last 5 meetings | India 3W, Bangladesh 2W |
| Goals in last 5 matches | 19 |
| Bangladesh’s first win vs India | 2022 SAFF Women’s Championship (3-0) |
| Bangladesh’s first draw vs India | 2016 SAFF Women’s Championship (0-0) |
| First-ever meeting | 2010 South Asian Games — India won 7-0 |
Why This Match Matters More Than the Numbers
India’s dominance over 15 years is clear — nine wins from 12 — but Bangladesh have been the better side recently, winning the last two head-to-head encounters. They are also chasing their first-ever win on Indian soil, which adds an extra layer of motivation.
With 19 goals scored across the last five meetings alone, this fixture has a habit of delivering fireworks. Both coaches know a win here does more than secure a group-stage advantage — it sends a statement about where each team is headed. khelnow
For detailed SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 match previews and live updates, follow our Indian football coverage on TechnoSports and our SAFF Championship 2026 hub.
Match Info
Date: May 31, 2026 | Time: 7:30 PM IST | Venue: PJN Stadium, Margao, Goa | Stream: FanCode | Entry: Free for fans
FAQs
Q: Who are the defending champions of the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026?
Bangladesh Women are the defending champions, having won the last two consecutive editions of the tournament in impressive fashion.
Q: What is India Women’s all-time record against Bangladesh Women in football?
India lead the head-to-head 9–2–1 across 12 meetings, but Bangladesh have won the last two encounters, making this clash a genuine contest.
