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The Indian football team will begin its title defence against arch-rivals Pakistan in the opening match of the SAFF Championship 2026, which is scheduled from November 5 to 17, at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
All SAFF Championship matches will be available for live streaming in India.
The 15th edition of the SAFF Championship football tournament will see six teams – hosts Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – competing for the title.
Defending champions India will field a second-string squad with several first-choice players set to feature in two international friendlies against New Zealand later in the month.
India U23 men’s team head coach Naushad Moosa will lead the Blue Tigers, while Bibiano Fernandes, who recently coached the national team at the FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival Azerbaijan 2026, will serve as assistant.
Among the players, Brison Fernandes, Farukh Choudhary, Nikhil Prabhu, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Liston Colaco and Irfan Yadwad are some of the players with prior experience with the Indian senior team.
The Blue Tigers are clubbed in Group B along with Maldives and Pakistan, while hosts Bangladesh are a part of Group A alongside Sri Lanka and Bhutan.
SAFF Championship 2026 teams
Group A: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan
Group B: India, Maldives, Pakistan
All teams play the other two sides in their respective groups once, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
The group toppers will then meet the runners-up from the other group in the semi-finals, with the winners progressing to the final on November 17.
All matches will be played at the National Stadium in Dhaka. Reigning champions India will be eyeing a record-extending 10th SAFF Championship title.
Apart from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives have also won the SAFF Championship in the past.
Where to watch SAFF Championship 2026 football live
Live streaming of the SAFF Championship 2026 football tournament will be available on VETO. There will be no live telecast of the SAFF Championship on any TV channel in India.
SAFF Championship 2026 schedule
All in Indian Standard Time (IST)
November 5, Thursday
- Pakistan vs India – 3:00 PM
- Bhutan vs Bangladesh – 7:30 PM
November 8, Sunday
- Maldives vs Pakistan – 3:00 PM
- Sri Lanka vs Bhutan – 7:30 PM
November 11, Wednesday
- India vs Maldives – 3:00 PM
- Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka – 7:30 PM
November 14, Saturday
- Semi-final 1 – 2:30 PM
- Semi-final 2 – 8:00 PM
November 17, Tuesday
- Final – 7:30 PM
SAFF Championship 2026 squads
Bangladesh football team: Mitul Marma, Sujon Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Srabon, Topu Barman, Bishwanath Ghosh, Md Saad Uddin, Rahmat Mia, Zidane Alexander Yousuf, Tariq Raihan Kazi, Zayyan Ahmed, Md Taj Uddin, Abdullah Omar Sajib, Md Sohel Rana, Sohel Rana, Md Ridoy, Hamza Dewan Choudhury, Shamit Shome, Syed Quazem Kirmanee Shah, Jamal Bhuyan, Farhaan Ali Wahid, Sheikh Morsalin, Rakib Hossain, Foysal Ahmed Fahim, Fahamedul Islam, Mohammad Ibrahim, Suki Itofusa, Minhazul Karim Shadin, Mohammad Mahe Khan.Â
Bhutan football team: Lhocho Nima, Tandin Tshewang, Phuntsho Jigme, Tenzin Norbu, Deychog Drakar Dorji, Jigman Seltob Dorji, Chencho Gyeltshen, Pema Zangpo, Kinzang Tenzin, Orgyen Tshering, Kinga Wangchuk, Kinley Penjor, Jigdrel Wangchuk, Dawa Tshering, Nima Wangdi, Tshelthrim Namgyel, Jetsuen Dorji, Kinzang Tashi Tobden, Sonam Dorji, Gyeltshen Zangpo, Dendup Namgyel, Jigme Tshultrim, Bikash Pradhan.
India football team: Arsh Anwer Shaikh (GK), Mohanraj K (GK), Priyansh Dubey (GK), Abdul Rabeeh, Bijoy Varghese, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Muhammed Uvais, Nathan Rodrigues, Ronney Kharbudon, Sandip Mandi, Abhishek Suryavanshi, Adison Singh Thokchom, Brison Fernandes, Ebindas Yesudasan, Farukh Choudhary, Macarton Nickson, Manglenthang Kipgen, Nikhil Prabhu, Noufal PN, Ricky John Shabong, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Irfan Yadwad, Liston Colaco, Muhammad Suhail, Vishnu PV, Suhail Ahmad Bhat
Maldives football team: Mohamed Ashwan, Hussain Shareef, Mohamed Shafeeu, Samooh Ali, Hassan Eenaz, Hussain Sifaau Yoosuf, Ahmed Aiham (Aihu), Amdhan Ali, Thoif Gasim, Ahmed Maaish Rasheed, Ahmed Aiham (Fatho), Ibrahim Waheed Hassan, Ibrahim Aisam, Nisham Mohamed Rasheed, Ahzam Rasheed, Ethan Ibrahim Zaki, Ali Hamdhaan, Ibrahim Mahudhee Hussain, Nassah Ibrahim Nasir, Naiz Hassan, Ali Fasir, Mohamed Naaim, Muzdhaan Hassan, Abdulla Looth Ibrahim.
Pakistan football team: Saqib Hanif, Hassan Ali, Yousuf Butt, Abdul Rehman, Abdullah Iqbal, Ali Khan Niazi, Easah Suliman, Haris Zeb, Haseeb Ahmed Khan, Mamoon Moosa Khan, Mohibullah Afridi, Waqar Ehtisham Baloch, Junaid Shah, Adil Nabi, Ali Uzair Mahmood, Hayyaan Khattak, Tufail Khan Shinwari, Zainul Abideen Ishaque, Muhammad Junaid, Ali Akbar Khan, Syed Ali Raza, Abdul Samad Arshad, Alamgir Ghazi, Kaleemullah, McKeal Abdullah, Najeebullah, Shayak Dost, Umar Nawaz.
