SAFF U17 Championship 2025: All you need to know

From cricket pitches to football fields, Navtej tells stories that capture the soul of sport.

Published at :September 14, 2025 at 8:47 PM

Modified at :September 15, 2025 at 5:42 PM

India are the defending champions of the tournament.

The best young talents in South Asia will go toe-to-toe in the SAFF U17 Championship 2025, starting on September 15, 2025. The tournament is being held in Sri Lanka. The Racecourse Ground in Colombo will be the venue for the tournament.

The SAFF U17 Championship 2025 will be participated in by 7 teams, which include the hosts Sri Lanka, the defending champions India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Maldives, and Bhutan. Sri Lanka will be eager to go the distance with the home advantage in their favour.

India U17 head coach Bibiano Fernandes names 23-man squad for SAFF U17 Championship. India will start their SAFF U17 Championship campaign on September 16, against the Maldives.#IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/de7mqRZHME
— Khel Now (@KhelNow) September 12, 2025

Eyes on Bibiano’s boys

The SAFF U17 Championship 2025 is a perfect opportunity for Bibiano Fernandes to prepare his team for the upcoming AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers, which are scheduled to start in November. India will play the qualifiers at their home as they will host Group D.

Before the qualifiers for the continental tournament, India would aim to ace this subcontinental challenge. The Blue Colts will be entering the tournament as prominent contenders to lift the trophy once again. India won the last edition by defeating Bangladesh in the final.

This year India have been placed in Group B alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, Bhutan, and Maldives. Group A has the hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, scheduled to be held on September 25.

India will be the favourites to top their group, and it will be interesting to see who will claim second place. We might see a fierce battle between Bhutan, Maldives, and Pakistan to follow India to the semi-finals. After recent success for the Indian age group teams, the Indian U17 team will be expected to clinch the trophy once again.

India’s Squad

Goalkeepers: Manashjyoti Baruah, Maroof Shafi, Rajrup Sarkar.

Defenders: Houlungou Mate, Indra Rana Magar, Konthoujam Korou Meitei, Md Aimaan Bin, R Lawmsangzuala, Shubham Poonia, Thanggoumang Touthang, Yumnam Madino Singh.

Midfielders: Abrar Ali Baba, Dallalmuon Gangte, Thokchom Diamond Singh, Wangkhem Denny Singh, Yengkhom Nitishkumar Meitei.

Forwards: Aazim Parveez Najar, Azlaan Shah Kh, Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam, Hrishikesh Charan Manavathi, Kamgouhao Doungel, Lesvin Rebelo, Rahan Ahmed.

SAFF U17 Championship Groups

Group A: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal

Group B: India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Maldives

Where to watch SAFF U17 Championship 2025?

The SAFF U17 Championship 2025 will be live-streamed on the Sportzworkz YouTube Channel.

India’s fixtures in SAFF U17 Championship 2025

Match 1: India vs Maldives, September 16, 3:00 PM IST
Match 2: India vs Bhutan, September 19, 7:30 PM IST
Match 3: India vs Pakistan, September 22, 3:00 PM IST

When will the SAFF U17 Championship start?

The SAFF U17 Championship will start on September 15, 2025.

When will India play their first match in the SAFF U17 Championship?

India will start their campaign on September 16, against Maldives.

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Navtej Vatsa

Navtej is all about narrating stories of human endeavour shaped by sporting excellence, from 22 yards to lush green pitches and buzzing arenas. With a background in broadcasting, he has a keen eye for compelling narratives that keep readers hooked. He primarily covers football and cricket, capturing the magic of two of the world’s most beloved sports.