02 August,2026 03:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Indian team at SAFF Championship (Pic: Olympics)
The Indian men's football team has been placed in Group B with Maldives and Pakistan for the SAFF Championship 2026 following the official draw held in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Saturday.
Organised in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the 15th edition of the regional competition is set to run from November 4 to 17, as announced by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Reigning champions India, aiming to expand their record by securing a 10th SAFF Championship crown, will start their campaign facing Maldives on November 5 before squaring off against Pakistan on November 11.
Hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan comprise Group A. In the event FIFA revokes its suspension of the All Nepal Football Association by September 1, Nepal will join Group A; otherwise, the tournament will proceed with six participating nations.
The top two sides from each group will advance to the semifinals scheduled for November 14, where the Group A winner will play the Group B runner-up and vice versa. The championship match will take place on November 17.
India maintains a strong head-to-head advantage over both Group B opponents. Against Pakistan, the Blue Tigers have recorded 16 wins, seven draws, and just two losses in 25 encounters, including a convincing 4-0 triumph in their most recent meeting at the 2023 SAFF Championship.
Against Maldives, India has a record of 13 victories, 2 draws, and 3 defeats across 18 matches, most recently securing a 3-0 friendly win in Shillong in March 2025.
India previously lifted the trophy in 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2021, and, most recently, in 2023 after defeating the guest team Kuwait in Bengaluru.
Group A: Bangladesh (hosts), Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal (pending FIFA suspension status)
Group B: India, Maldives, Pakistan
Hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan are placed in Group A. If FIFA lifts its suspension of the All Nepal Football Association by September 1, Nepal will be included in Group A. Should the suspension remain in place, the SAFF Championship 2026 will proceed with six teams.
India's Schedule in Dhaka
November 5: Pakistan vs India
November 11: India vs Maldives
November 14: Semifinals
November 17: Final
(With inputs from ANI)
