Defending champions Bangladesh have been drawn with host India in the SAFF Women's Championship, which will be held in Goa from May 25 to June 6.

The draw was held in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The other in in Group B, which features two-time defending champions Bangladesh and record five-time champions India, are Maldives.

Group A features Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. Two teams will qualify from each group for the semifinals.

Pakistan have opted not to participate in this edition.

Bangladesh first won the SAFF Women’s Championship title in 2022 in Nepal, breaking India’s dominance, under Golam Rabbani Choton. Peter Butler then helped the women in red and green defend the title in style in the 2024 edition, also held in Nepal.

Bangladesh had beaten India in the group stage in both editions on way to beating Nepal in both finals.