ANI |
Updated: Aug 02 2026 10:23 IST
New Delhi [India]August 2 (ANI): The Indian men’s team was drawn against Maldives and Pakistan in Group B of the SAFF Championship 2026 after the draw was held in Thimphu, Bhutan on Saturday.
According to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the 15th subcontinental tournament will be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from November 4 to 17.
Defending champions India, aiming for a record 10th SAFF title, will begin their campaign against the Maldives on November 5 before facing Pakistan on November 11.
Hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan are placed in Group A. If FIFA lifts the All Nepal Football Association’s suspension by September 1, Nepal will be included in Group A. If the suspension remains in place, the SAFF 2026 will continue with six teams.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, where the winners of Group A will face the runners-up of Group B and vice versa. The semi-finals will take place on November 14 and the final on November 17.
India have excellent head-to-head matches with both group stage opponents. The Blue Tigers have won 16 of their 25 matches against Pakistan, drawn seven and lost only two. Their last meeting took place at the 2023 SAFF Championship, where India pulled off a dominant 4-0 win.
In the match against Maldives, India has a record of 13 wins, two draws and three defeats in 18 matches. The last meeting took place in a friendly match in March 2025, when the hosts won 3-0 in Shillong.
India have won the SAFF Championship nine times – in 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2021 and most recently in 2023 when the Blue Tigers defeated the visiting Kuwait team in a memorable final in Bangalore.
SAFF 2026 Championship Draw Results
Group A: Bangladesh (hosts), Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal (if FIFA suspension is lifted).
Group B: India, Maldives, Pakistan.
India’s matches at the SAFF Championship 2026
November 5: Pakistan vs India
November 11: India – Maldives
November 14: Semi-finals
November 17: Final
Venue: Dhaka, Bangladesh. (ANI)