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Key Points

India's national football team will compete in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, facing tough opponents like Iran and Tajikistan. The tournament, co-hosted by Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, is crucial for India's AFC Asian Cup 2027 preparations. Group B matches will be held in Dushanbe, with the final in Tashkent. The Blue Tigers aim to advance past the group stage for the first time in this biennial event.

Key Points: India to Face Iran and Tajikistan in CAFA Nations Cup 2025

  • India drawn in Group B with Iran, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan
  • Top two teams advance to playoff stage
  • Matches to be held in Dushanbe and Tashkent
  • CAFA Nations Cup serves as key prep for AFC Asian Cup 2027
2 min read

India to play CAFA Nations Cup 2025

India's football team will compete in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, facing Iran, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan in Group B as part of AFC Asian Cup prep.

"The Blue Tigers will play hosts Tajikistan, Iran, and Afghanistan in a crucial test ahead of AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. – AIFF"

New Delhi, July 30

The Indian senior men's national team, as part of their preparation for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers final round, will participate in the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup 2025, scheduled to be held from August 31 to September 8.

India have been drafted into the biennial Central Asian tournament, jointly hosted by Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, and have been placed in Group B, which will be played in Dushanbe. The Blue Tigers will play hosts Tajikistan (August 29), Islamic Republic of Iran (September 1), and Afghanistan (September 4), as per a press release from AIFF.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the play-off stage, which will see two matches being played on September 8. The third-place match will be played between the two group runners-up in Dushanbe, while the two group winners will play the final in Tashkent.

Group A will be hosted by Uzbekistan, who are drawn alongside Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, and Oman in Tashkent.

CAFA has six members -- Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kygryz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Oman and India are the two invited sides for the second edition of the CAFA Nations Cup. IR Iran are the defending champions, having beaten Uzbekistan 1-0 in the 2023 final.

CAFA Nations Cup 2025 Draw

Group A: Uzbekistan (H), Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Oman.Group B: Tajikistan (H), Iran, Afghanistan, India.

India's match schedule:

August 29: Tajikistan vs India.September 1: India vs Iran.September 4: Afghanistan vs India.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
Why are we always getting the toughest groups? First Iran, then Afghanistan who plays with passion. At least Tajikistan at home might be slightly easier. Hope the boys get proper training before this.
A
Aman W
Good initiative but AIFF needs to arrange more friendlies before this tournament. Our players need match practice against quality opponents, not just domestic leagues.
P
Priyanka N
Excited to see Chhetri leading the team again! Hope some young players like Anwar Ali get chances too. We need to build for the future while competing now. #BlueTigers 🐯
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Vikram M
Traveling to Dushanbe won't be easy - hope AIFF arranges proper acclimatization. The altitude and weather conditions there are very different from India. Small details matter in international football.
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Nikhil C
Realistically, if we can get a draw against Iran and beat Afghanistan, that would be a successful tournament. Need to be practical about our expectations from the team.
K
Kavya N
Will Star Sports broadcast these matches? Indian football needs more TV coverage to grow. If people can't watch, how will the sport become popular? #FootballInIndia

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