The Indian men’s national team have been drawn with Maldives and Pakistan in Group B of the SAFF Championship 2026, following the draw conducted in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Saturday, August 1, 2026. The 15th edition of the sub-continental tournament will be hosted in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from November 4 to 17.
India will begin their campaign against Maldives on November 5 and Pakistan on November 11.
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.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, with Group A winners meeting Group B runners-up and vice versa. The semi-finals will take place on November 14, and the final will be on November 17.
India have won the SAFF Championship on nine occasions — 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2021, and the last in 2023, when the Blue Tigers defeated guest side Kuwait in a memorable final in Bengaluru. Finished Runners-up in four occasions – 1995, 2008, 2013, 2018. 2003 was the only edition, when the Blue Tigers failed to proceed to final.
Courtesy: AIFF Media
