AIFF confirm Indian Football Team's participation in CAFA Nations Cup 2025

Triyasha has been part of Khel Now since 2024, covering PKL and Indian Football.

Published at :July 30, 2025 at 3:01 PM

Modified at :August 27, 2025 at 4:44 PM

AIFF confirm Indian Football Team's participation in CAFA Nations Cup 2025

India’s new head coach is likely to begin his tenure with matches against Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.

As revealed by Khel Now, earlier, the India senior men’s national team, as part of their preparation for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round, will participate in the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup 2025, scheduled to be held from August 31 to September 8.

CAFA has six members — Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Oman and India are the two invited sides for the second edition of the CAFA Nations Cup. IR Iran are the defending champions, having beaten Uzbekistan 1-0 in the 2023 final.

#BlueTigers ✈️ Central Asia! 👀The Indian senior men’s team will take part in the #CAFANationsCup next month in Tajikistan 🐯🇮🇳🆚🇹🇯🇮🇷🇦🇫More details 🔗 https://t.co/d1H6n2eEtM #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/CggEuOLY72
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 30, 2025

Also Read: Exclusive: Indian Football Team to replace Malaysia in CAFA Nations Cup 2025

What is the format of CAFA Nations Cup 2025?

Indian Football Team in CAFA Nations Cup 2025

The top two teams from each group will progress to the play-off stage, which will see two matches being played on September 8.

The third-place match will be played between the two group runners-up in Dushanbe, while the two group winners will play the final in Tashkent.

CAFA Nations Cup 2025 Draw

India have been drafted into the biennial Central Asian tournament, jointly hosted by Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, and have been placed in Group B, which will be played in Dushanbe.

Group A will be hosted by Uzbekistan, who are drawn alongside Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, and Oman in Tashkent.

Group A: Uzbekistan (H), Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Oman.
Group B: Tajikistan (H), IR Iran, Afghanistan, India.

India’s match schedule in CAFA Nations Cup 2025 Draw:

The Blue Tigers will play hosts Tajikistan (August 29), Islamic Republic of Iran (September 1), and Afghanistan (September 4).

August 29: Tajikistan vs India
September 1: India vs IR Iran
September 4: Afghanistan vs India

When will the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 be held?

The tournament will take place from August 31 to September 8, 2025.

Who are the participating teams in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025?

Six CAFA members — Afghanistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan — and two invited teams, India and Oman, will take part.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.

Triyasha Chatterjee

A sports journalist for over 4 years, Triyasha has been covering Indian Football and Kanbaddi meticulously, She specialises in in-depth knowledge of the game, the players and the footballing infrastructure and heritage in India.