India's women's football team is set to kick off their SAFF Women's Championship 2026 campaign against Maldives at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, on Monday. This match marks a significant moment as it is the first time the Blue Tigresses will play in Goa, and they aim to reclaim the title they last won in 2019. India, ranked 69th in FIFA, enters the tournament as the highest-ranked team and strong favorites against Maldives, currently ranked 167th. Historically, India has dominated this matchup, winning seven of their eight encounters. Coach Crispin Chettri expressed the importance of this championship for future continental aspirations, particularly aiming to qualify for the next Asian Cup. He noted the blend of experienced and young players in the squad, which has recently recovered from the Indian Women's League. Key players to watch include defenders Astam Oraon and Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam, and midfielders Aveka Singh and Sangita Basfore. Maldives coach Mohamed Sobah acknowledged the challenge posed by India and plans to adopt a strategic approach to counter their attacking style. The tournament format features three teams in Group B, with the top two progressing to the semi-finals on June 3.