Maldives clinch first-ever international futsal trophy with perfect SAFF Championship run

Maldives has won the 2026 SAFF Futsal Championship, securing the country’s first-ever international futsal title with a dominant run in Bangkok.

The national team sealed the championship on Friday after a 3–1 victory over Bhutan at the Nonthaburi Stadium. The win took Maldives to 15 points from five matches, clinching the title with one game to spare, their final fixture being against Sri Lanka.

Maldives completed the tournament with a 100 percent winning record, an extraordinary achievement for a nation that does not yet have an official indoor futsal pitch. The team also defeated regional powerhouse India, marking one of the standout results of the championship.

Before facing Bhutan, Maldives needed just two more points to confirm the title. The victory pushed them clear at the top of the standings, leaving all other teams out of reach.

Maldives’ results in the tournament

• Maldives 7–1 Pakistan  

• Maldives 6–1 Bangladesh  

• Maldives 5–0 India  

• Maldives 2–1 Nepal  

• Maldives 3–1 Bhutan  

The triumph marks a historic milestone for Maldivian futsal and signals a promising future for the sport in the country.