SAFF Championship 2026: Defending champions India drawn with Maldives, Pakistan
New Delhi: Defending champions India have been drawn with Pakistan and Maldives in Group B of the SAFF Championship 2026. The draw for the tournament was conducted in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Saturday, July 1.
The 15th edition of the SAFF Championship will be hosted in Dhaka from November 4 to 17. The Blue Tigers are aiming to win a record-extending 10th SAFF Championship title, and will start their tournament campaign against Maldives on November 5 before facing Pakistan on November 11.
Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Hosts Bangladesh are placed in Group A. If FIFA lifts the suspension of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) by September 1, then Nepal will be included in Group A. However, if the global football governing body decides against it, the tournament will proceed with six teams.
The path to title defence 🛣️
🇮🇳 India have been drawn with 🇲🇻 & 🇵🇰 in Group B of the SAFF Championship 2026 🏆
📍 Dhaka, Bangladesh
🗓️ November 5-17Read more 🔗 https://t.co/o66ydX0lNU#BlueTigers #SAFFChampionship2026 #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/5Krsimeyf6
— Indian Football (@IndianFootball) August 1, 2026
SAFF Championship 2026 format
The top two sides from each group will advance to the semi-finals, with Group A winners taking on Group B runners-up and vice-versa. The semi-finals of the sub-continental football tournament will begin on November 14, and the final will take place on November 17.
The Blue Tigers have a brilliant record against both their group-stage opponents, Pakistan and Maldives. They have won 16 games out of the 25 against Pakistan, drawing seven and losing just two. The arch-rivals last met in the SAFF Championship 2026, with India registering a 4-0 victory.
India have registered 13 victories, two draws and three defeats in 18 games against Maldives. Their last meeting was in a friendly match in March 2025 when the hosts secured a 3-0 win in Shillong.
The Blue Tigers have won the SAFF Championship on nine occasions, including 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, and 2021. India last won the tournament in 2023, when the Blue Tigers defeated guest nation Kuwait in a memorable final in Bengaluru.