SAFF Championship 2026: Defending champions India drawn with Pakistan, Maldives
New Delhi, Aug 1
Defending champions India have been drawn alongside Pakistan and Maldives in Group B of the SAFF Championship 2026, with the draw for the 15th edition of the regional tournament held in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Saturday.
The tournament will be staged in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from November 4 to 17, with the Blue Tigers aiming to lift a record-extending 10th SAFF Championship title.
India will kick off their campaign against Pakistan on November 5 before taking on Maldives on November 11. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for November 14, while the final will be played on November 17.
Group A comprises hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. Nepal will also be included in the group if FIFA lifts the suspension on the All Nepal Football Association before September 1. If the suspension remains in place, the tournament will be contested by six teams.
India head into the competition with an impressive record against both their group-stage opponents. The Blue Tigers have won 16 of their 25 matches against Pakistan, while drawing seven and losing only two. Their most recent meeting came in the 2023 SAFF Championship, where India registered a commanding 4-0 victory.
Against Maldives, India have won 13 of their 18 meetings, drawing twice and losing three. Their last encounter was an international friendly in Shillong in March 2025, with India securing a comfortable 3-0 win.
India are the most successful team in the history of the SAFF Championship, having won the title nine times in 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2021 and 2023. The Blue Tigers claimed their last crown after defeating Kuwait in the final in Bengaluru.
SAFF Championship 2026 Draw
Group A: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal (subject to FIFA lifting suspension)
Group B: India, Pakistan, Maldives
India's fixtures:
November 5: Pakistan vs India
November 11: India vs Maldives
— IANS
Reader Comments
Looking forward to the tournament in Dhaka. Bangladesh always has great crowd support, could be a tough group for the hosts.
Record-extending 10th title loading! The team has been solid under the current coach. Maldives will be tricky though, they always play us tough. 🏆
The rivalry with Pakistan adds extra spice, but let's not underestimate Maldives. They've beaten us 3 times before. Need to stay focused from game one.
That 2023 final against Kuwait was nerve-wracking but so sweet! Hope the boys bring the same fighting spirit to Dhaka. Also hoping Nepal gets cleared to play, more teams makes it more competitive!
Only 3 teams in Group B seems a bit light. But that just means fewer games and more rest. Still, SAFF needs more nations participating to grow the sport in the region.
India ka jalsa! We've dominated SAFF for decades and this squad looks even stronger. The 3-0 win over Maldives in Shillong showed our class. Bring on November! 🎉
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