Maldives win SAFF Futsal Championship 2026
The Maldives have been crowned champions of the men’s SAFF Futsal Championship, currently underway in Thailand, after securing a decisive 3–1 victory over Bhutan on Saturday.
The league-format tournament title was confirmed with the win, although the Maldives had entered the match needing only a draw to seal the championship.
The encounter, played in Nonthaburi, Bangkok, saw Bhutan take an early lead with the opening goal.
However, Abdulla Junaid brought the Maldives back on level terms before halftime.
The Maldivian side took control in the second half, with Ahmed Hameed scoring to put his team ahead, before captain Mohamed Imran sealed the victory with a third goal.
Imran has been a standout performer throughout the tournament, consistently delivering influential displays.
With the result, the Maldives secured the championship with an unbeaten record, setting a new benchmark in the competition.
The team demonstrated dominant form across the tournament, registering high-scoring victories in nearly every match.
In their opening fixture, the Maldives recorded a commanding 7–1 win over Pakistan, followed by a 6–1 victory against Bangladesh.
They then delivered a resounding 5–0 triumph over regional rivals India, before edging Nepal 2–1 in their previous match.
The Maldives are scheduled to face Sri Lanka in their remaining fixture of the SAFF Futsal Championship.