SportsPosted at: Nov 4 2026 5:02PM


India kick off SAFF Championship defence against Pakistan

Dhaka, Nov 4 (UNI) The Indian football team will begin its title defence against arch-rivals Pakistan in the opening match of the SAFF Championship 2026, which is scheduled from November 5 to 17, at the National Stadium here in Bangladesh.


The 15th edition of the SAFF Championship football tournament will see six teams - hosts Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - competing for the title,
according to olympics.com.

Defending champions India will field a second-string squad with several first-choice players set to feature in two international friendlies against New Zealand later in the month.
India U23 men's team head coach Naushad Moosa will lead the Blue Tigers, while Bibiano Fernandes, who recently coached the national team at the FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival Azerbaijan 2026, will serve as assistant.
Among the players, Brison Fernandes, Farukh Choudhary, Nikhil Prabhu, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Liston Colaco and Irfan Yadwad are some of the players with prior experience with the Indian senior team.
The Blue Tigers are clubbed in Group B along with Maldives and Pakistan, while hosts Bangladesh are a part of Group A alongside Sri Lanka and Bhutan.
SAFF Championship 2026 teams Group A: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan Group B: India, Maldives, Pakistan All teams play the other two sides in their respective groups once, with
the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

The group toppers will then meet the runners-up from the other group in the semi-finals, with the winners progressing to the final on November 17.

All matches will be played at the National Stadium in Dhaka. Reigning champions India will be eyeing a record-extending 10th SAFF Championship title.
Apart from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives have also won the SAFF Championship in the past.
Live streaming of the SAFF Championship 2026 football tournament will be available on VETO.
UNI BM
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