Mission Goa: Nepal Announces Final Squad for SAFF Women’s Championship 2026
May 17, 2026
Bivek Tamang
Pic: Nepali Womens National Team
KATHMANDU – The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA)
has officially announced the final 23-member squad representing the national women's football
team at the upcoming SAFF Women’s Championship 2026. Scheduled to take place from May 25 to June 6,
2026, in the coastal sports hub of Margao, Goa, India, the tournament represents a crucial chance
for the Nepali Chelis to finally capture the elusive South Asian crown.
Under the guidance of newly appointed head coach Nabin Neupane, the team selection comes after
an intensive closed training camp that whittled down an initial pool of 35 players.
The final roster blends veteran stability with exciting fresh talent, featuring two
senior-team debutants and three notable comebacks, while two members from the previous
campaign miss out.
The Official 23-Member Roster
Goalkeepers
- Anjila T. Subba (C)
- Anjana Rana Magar
- Usha Nath
Defenders
- Gita Rana
- Bimala BK
- Puja Rana
- Hira K. Bhujel
- Pratikshya Chaudhary
- Samikshya Chaudhary
- Nisha Thokar
- Sabina Chaudhary
Midfielders
- Renuka Nagarkoti
- Dipa Shahi
- Preeti Rai
- Saru Limbu
- Birshina Chaudhary
- Anita Basnet
- Anita Lamjel
- Anita KC
Forwards
- Rashmi Ghising
- Meena Deuba
- Purnima Rai
- Rekha Paudel
The Road to Glory
Nepal has been placed into Group
A alongside regional rivals Sri Lanka and Bhutan. Group B features tournament
hosts India, the Maldives, and defending champions Bangladesh (who defeated Nepal
in the heartbreaking 2024 final). The team will fly out to India with immense
pressure and expectation on their shoulders. Despite finishing as runners-up a
record six times in the tournament's history, the squad's hunger to finally lift
the trophy has never been higher.Nepal will kick off its group stage campaign on
opening day, May 25, against a rising Bhutanese side, before facing Sri Lanka on May 31.
The top two teams from each group will advance directly to the semi-finals on June 3,
with the grand finale set for June 6 at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.