SAFF Championship 2026 draw: India drawn against Pakistan, full groups confirmed
SAFF Championship 2026 to be hosted by Bangladesh
The wait is over as the draw for the SAFF Championship 2026 has been officially revealed today setting up another exciting chapter in South Asian football.
This edition of the SAFF Championship will feature six nations: India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Pakistan and host Bangladesh.
As now the participating nations are aware of their opponents in the group stage for this tournament, the build up to the tournament gets underway with the SAFF Championship 2026 scheduled to be played in November this year.
In this article we take a look at the official SAFF Championship 2026 draw.
India drawn alongside Pakistan setting up a blockbuster
With six teams participating in the tournament this team, there are two groups of 3 teams each. India have been placed in group B which undoubtedly emerge as the headline maker. The Blue Tigers have been drawn alongside Maldives and archrivals Pakistan setting up a high voltage India Pakistan face off at the regional stage.
Meanwhile, the group A features hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. Although the group looks balanced, Bangladesh will look to take full advantage of the home crowd and push for the title charge in front of their faithfuls.
Group A
- Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka
- Bhutan
Group B
- India
- Maldives
- Pakistan
Will India travel with the senior team or U-23 squad?
With the SAFF Championship 2026 draw officially out, the Indian men’s football team are all set to play in the group stage as they are placed in group B of the SAFF Championship 2026 alongside Maldives and archrivals Pakistan. All the matches of this edition’s SAFF Championship will be played in Dhaka, Bangladesh from November 4th to November 17th.
With that being said, the big question still looms, whether the senior team or the U-23 squad will travel to Bangladesh for the SAFF Championship 2026. India are scheduled to play two friendly matches against New Zealand in the November FIFA Window during the same time the SAFF Championship takes place.
The Blue Tigers will first face the All Whites at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on November 12th and travel to Christchurch for the second game at the newly built One New Zealand Stadium on November 15th.
For now, whether India will field the senior team or the U-23 squad at the SAFF Championship 2026 remains uncertain and only time will provide the answer, however it will be interesting to see how the situation develops in the near future.
India’s schedule for 2026:
- 21st September – 6th October 2026: FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026
- India vs Brazil – 3rd October, VYBK Stadium Kolkata
- 4th November – 17th November 2026: SAFF Championship 2026
- November 12, 2026: New Zealand vs India, Go Media Stadium, Auckland
- November 15, 2026: New Zealand vs India, One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch
Which group are India placed in SAFF Championship 2026?
India are placed in group B alongside Pakistan and Maldives.
When will SAFF Championship 2026 begin?
The SAFF Championship will begin on 4th November.
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Ayushman Sharma is a sports enthusiast with a deep love for football, following the game closely since 2018. A hardcore supporter of NorthEast United FC and FC Barcelona, he has also gained valuable on-ground experience by volunteering during FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Guwahati.