SAFF Championship 2026: Pakistan and India Meet in Group A Draw

The SAFF Championship 2026 draw is done. Pakistan face India and Maldives in Group A. Bangladesh host for the fourth time. Here is everything you need to know.

Group Stage Draw

Group A

India

FIFA Rank: 136 • 9× Champions

Pakistan

FIFA Rank: TBC • PKN

Maldives

FIFA Rank: 172 • 2× Champions

Group B

Bangladesh

FIFA Rank: 181 • Host

Sri Lanka

FIFA Rank: TBC • 1× Champions

Bhutan

FIFA Rank: 186 • Debut Run

Group A is the harder draw on paper. India are the dominant force in SAFF football. Maldives won the championship twice and are competitive at this level. Pakistan need to finish in the top two from a group containing the nine-time champions. It is a difficult path to the semi-finals.

Group B gives Bangladesh a manageable route as hosts. Sri Lanka and Bhutan are not the strongest opposition in this field. Bangladesh will be expected to top Group B and reach the semi-finals. The pressure of home support and tournament history will sit on their shoulders throughout.

2026 SAFF Championship Schedule

SAFF has not released the match-by-match fixture list. The full schedule with exact dates and kick-off times for each group game will be published here once SAFF confirms it. The structure above is based on the confirmed November 5 to 17 window and the two-group format.

Pakistan at SAFF 2026

Pakistan’s football team enters the SAFF 2026 with something to prove. They skipped the 2026 SAFF Women’s Championship held in India due to political tensions with the host nation. The men’s tournament in neutral Bangladesh removes that obstacle. Pakistan play on equal footing.

India vs Pakistan in Group A is the standout fixture of the entire tournament. It is not just the biggest match in South Asian football. It is one of the most-watched sporting events across both nations regardless of format. Dhaka in November will be loud. The group stage meeting will decide who goes through as group winners and who scraps for the second automatic qualification spot.

All Teams at SAFF Championship 2026

Host: Bangladesh and Dhaka

Bangladesh hosts the SAFF 2026 Championship for the fourth time. Their previous editions were 2003, 2009, and 2018. The 2003 edition remains their only championship title, won in Dhaka in a penalty shootout against Maldives. The 2018 edition held at what was then the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka was won by Maldives.

All matches in November 2026 are played in Dhaka. SAFF has not confirmed the specific stadium name. The venue previously used is the national stadium in the capital. Dhaka’s football atmosphere is one of the loudest in South Asia. Crowd capacity and home support give Bangladesh a genuine advantage in this tournament.

Why Bangladesh in November

The tournament was originally set for September 2026. SAFF moved it to November so India and Pakistan could participate in the FIFA ASEAN Cup, which clashed with the original September window. The delay works in Bangladesh’s favour as host preparation time increased.

SAFF Championship Winners: Full History

India have won 9 of the 14 editions played so far. Pakistan hosted the first ever SAFF Championship in 1993 and again in 2005. They have never won the title. The 2026 edition in Dhaka is the 15th edition of the tournament.

Nepal: Conditional Entry

People Also Ask

Where is the SAFF Championship 2026 hosted?

Bangladesh hosts the SAFF 2026. All matches are in Dhaka from November 5 to 17, 2026. It is Bangladesh’s fourth time hosting the men’s SAFF Championship after 2003, 2009, and 2018.

What is the SAFF 2026 schedule?

The tournament runs November 5 to 17, 2026 in Dhaka. Group stage plays from November 5 to 9. Semi-finals follow around November 12 to 13. The final is on November 17. SAFF has not yet confirmed the full match-by-match fixture list.

Which group is Pakistan in for SAFF Championship 2026?

Pakistan are in Group A alongside India and Maldives. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan are in Group B. The top two teams from each group reach the semi-finals.

Will Pakistan play India at SAFF Championship 2026?

Yes. Pakistan and India are in the same group. They will face each other in Group A in Dhaka during November 2026. The exact match date has not yet been confirmed by SAFF.

What is the SAFF Championship points table format in 2026?

With six teams, there are two groups of three. Top two from each group advance to semi-finals. The four semi-finalists play knockout matches. Winners meet in the final on November 17 in Dhaka.

Who has won the SAFF Championship the most?

India have won the SAFF Championship nine times. Maldives have two titles (2008, 2018). Bangladesh won in 2003 on home soil. Sri Lanka won in 1995 and Afghanistan in 2013.

Is there a SAFF Women’s Championship 2026?

The 2026 SAFF Women’s Championship was a separate tournament held in Goa, India from May 25 to June 5, 2026. Pakistan did not participate due to political tensions with the host nation. The men’s SAFF Championship is in Bangladesh in November 2026.

Will Nepal play in SAFF 2026?

Nepal are currently suspended by FIFA. SAFF has set September 30, 2026 as the deadline for their entry. If FIFA lifts the ban before that date, Nepal join Group B. If not, the tournament proceeds with six teams.