How can Indian football team line up for SAFF Women's Championship 2026 final against Bangladesh?

India will play Bangladesh in SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 final

India are all set to battle it out against the defending champions Bangladesh in the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 final. The hosts have already faced the defending champions in this edition of the SAFF Women’s Championship, where they defeated Bangladesh 3-0 to top the group stage.

However, this time the challenge will be much tougher, as Bangladesh already have an idea of how to play against India. India will also be keen to get their hands on the SAFF Women’s Championship trophy after missing out on it for quite some time now.

The build up to the SAFF Women's Championship 2026 final begins! 🇮🇳🇧🇩India and Bangladesh lock eyes on the prize as the countdown to the final begins! #SAFFWomensChampionship2026 #IndianFootball #BlueTigresses #INDBAN pic.twitter.com/H5LTnMTcAM

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) June 5, 2026

As the buildup to the final starts, take a look at how the Blue Tigresses can lineup against Bangladesh in the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 final.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

GK – Panthoi Chanu

Panthoi Chanu is expected to start in the final against Bangladesh. Although the experienced India international has not yet faced a huge challenge in the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 so far, this final can prove to be a challenge as there will a title on the line.

LB – Astam Oraon

Astam has not been a regular starter in the team so far in this SAFF Women’s Championship campaign, but she has contributed overall in the tournament for India.

She is most likely to start against Bangladesh in the final, having already been named in the starting lineup when India faced Bangladesh earlier in the group stage.

So, she is expected to retain her place, although there remains a possibility that Ranjana Chanu could be preferred for the left sided role.

CB – Purnima Kumari

Purnima Kumari has started all the games for the Blue Tigresses in the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 and has been very consistent overall in her performance.

She will most likely retain her place in the lineup against Bangladesh in the final.

CB – Shilky Devi

Shilky Devi’s performances in the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 have raised some concerns, as she has not looked at her best throughout the tournament.

The defender had a difficult outing against Bhutan in the semifinal, where she commited several errors and appeared below her usual standards.

However, despite Juli Kishan emerging as a possible option and already featuring in the tournament, Shilky is still the most likely candidate to partner with Purnima Kumari for the final.

RB – Nirmala Devi

Another player who has not looked very good in this campaign so far for India. Nirmala’s recent outing against Bhutan in the semifinal was very poor as she looked completely out of place in the right back role.

She commited several mistakes and misplaced passes in an attempt to rush play, which has at times created problems for India during the tournament especially in the semifinal.

While Sarita Yumnam remains a potential alternative, having already started against Maldives earlier in the competition, Nirmala Devi is still the most likely candidate to retain her place in the starting XI for the final.

CM – Jasoda Munda

Jasoda Munda in the midfield has been a bright spot for India in the tournament so far. Jasoda looked very good in the midfield double pivot alongside her midfield partner Sangita Basfore and should start against Bangladesh in the final of SAFF Women’s Championship 2026.

CM – Sangita Basfore

India’s midfield has looked settled throughout the tournament, and Sangita Basfore has been a crucial part of that stability.

Sangita has enjoyed a strong SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 campaign so far and is expected to start in midfield alongside Jasoda Munda in the final.

LW – Manisha Kalyan

A big boost came for India in the last match against Bhutan, where Manisha Kalyan finally returned to the pitch after missing the group stage matches of the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026.

Manisha’s inclusion in the second half showed immediate results. She not only dominated the game technically but also outplayed Bhutan physically.

Manisha’s inclusion in the starting XI against Bangladesh in the final should be a no brainer.

CAM – Sanfida Nongrum

Sanfida Nongrum has been a star in the making for India. She should start against Bangladesh as the attacking midfielder, with her pressing ability and eye for goal set to play a crucial role, especially with Aveka Singh operating as a false nine.

Her energy and attacking intent could be key to unlocking the Bangladesh defence in the final.

RW – Soumya Guguloth

Soumya’s inclusion in the starting XI can be questioned, considering she has not delivered consistently for the team in recent matches and with Pyari Xaxa also available as a serious contender.

However, Soumya is still the most likely candidate to retain her role on the right wing in the final. That said, it would not come as a surprise if Pyari Xaxa is handed the starting spot instead.

CF – Aveka Singh

A new discovery in Crispin Chettri’s system has been the deployment of midfielder Aveka Singh up front as a number nine since the FIFA Women’s Series, preferably in a false nine role that allows her to drop deep and link play.

Aveka began the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 campaign in style, scoring four goals against Maldives and is the top goalscorer in the tournament, but has not been as impressive in the matches since then.

However, she fits well into Crispin’s system and has started every game in that position so far. So, Aveka is most likely to lead the line as the false nine in the final against Bangladesh.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.