India drawn with Maldives, Pakistan in SAFF Championship 2026
India has been drawn into Group B with Pakistan and the Maldives for the 2026 SAFF Championship football tournament. The event will be hosted in Dhaka, Bangladesh, this November, with India aiming for a record-extending 10th title.
Why it matters
The SAFF Championship is a major regional football tournament, and the inclusion of India and Pakistan often draws significant public and media interest due to the historical rivalry.
Defending champions India 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 football tournament will be hosted in Dhaka from November 4-17.
Chasing a record-extending 10th SAFF championship title, India will begin their campaign against Maldives on November 5 before taking on Pakistan on November 11.
Hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan are placed in Group A.
In the event that FIFA's suspension of the All Nepal Football Association is lifted by September 1, Nepal will be included in Group A.
If the suspension stays, the SAFF Championship 2026 will go ahead 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.
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