THIMPHU, Bhutan (Kashmir English): Pakistan will renew its football rivalry with India at the 2026 SAFF Championship in Bangladesh in November after the two neighbouring nations were drawn together in Group B on Saturday.
The 2026 SAFF Championship (officially known as the Tecno SAFF Championship) is the upcoming 15th edition of South Asia’s premier international men’s football tournament.
Dhaka will host the event from November 4 to November 17, 2026. India enters the competition as the defending champions, chasing a record-extending 10th title after winning the 2023 edition in Bengaluru.
The official group stage draw was held on Saturday, in Thimphu, Bhutan. The tournament features a single round-robin format where the top two teams from each group advance directly to the semi-finals on November 14, followed by the final on November 17.
SAFF Championship 2026
Group A: Bangladesh (Hosts), Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Nepal
Group B: India, Maldives, and Pakistan.
It is worth noting that Nepal’s inclusion in Group A depends on FIFA lifting its current suspension of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) before the event starts. If the ban stands, the tournament will proceed with six teams.
Founded in 1993, the South Asian Football Federation Championship is held biennially to promote regional football development.
The upcoming Pakistan-India clash will mark their first senior international meeting since 2023 edition, where India secured a dominant 4-0 victory.
