The official draw for the SAFF Championship 2026 was conducted on 1 August in Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The outcome of the draw has set the stage for an exciting regional football showdown, as defending champions and nine-time winners India have been drawn into Group B alongside arch-rivals Pakistan. Completing the Group B lineup is Maldives, promising a series of fiercely contested group stage encounters in the upcoming tournament scheduled to take place in Bangladesh.
Group Breakdown and Potential Expansion
The participating teams have been allocated into two distinct groups for the preliminary round. While Group B features India, Pakistan, and Maldives, host nation Bangladesh has been placed in Group A alongside Sri Lanka and Bhutan. The group stage lineup could see further adjustments depending on the status of Nepal. The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) is currently under a suspension imposed by FIFA. If this suspension is revoked by the deadline of 1 September, Nepal will be integrated into Group A. Football enthusiasts also have another clash to look forward to, as India and Pakistan are scheduled to face each other in the Asian Legends League on 2 August.
Tournament Schedule and India's Fixtures
The 15th edition of this flagship regional tournament will run from 4 November to 17 November in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. The Indian football team will kick off its group stage campaign on 5 November with an opening fixture against Maldives, aiming to secure an early victory and build momentum. However, the centerpiece of the group stage will occur on 11 November, when India locks horns with Pakistan in a high-stakes encounter that traditionally draws massive attention across the region.
Competition Format and Knockout Phase
Under the competition regulations, all group matches will be played in a round-robin format, ensuring that every team within a group plays at least one match against each of its group opponents. Upon completion of the group fixtures, the top two teams from both Group A and Group B will advance to the knockout stage. Both semifinal matches are scheduled to be played on 14 November. The winners of the semifinals will then clash in the final on 17 November in Dhaka to determine the champion of South Asian football.
India's Historical Legacy in SAFF Championship
India holds an unparalleled record in the history of the SAFF Championship, having asserted its dominance over the tournament since its inception. The nation has lifted the trophy a record nine times, claiming titles in 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2021, and most recently in 2023. As the team prepares for the 2026 edition in Dhaka, India will enter the pitch with the goal of successfully defending its crown and extending its historic record in South Asian football.
