SAFF Championship 2026: India begin title defence against Pakistan in Dhaka
India will open their campaign against Pakistan at the National Stadium in Dhaka on November 5, 2026.
India begin their SAFF Championship 2026 title defence against Pakistan in Dhaka on November 5 at 15:00 IST. RevSportz reported that Naushad Moosa leads a second-string squad in Group B, while Sportstar said the team arrived without hotel rooms.
Key takeaways
- India play Pakistan in their opening Group B fixture at the National Stadium in Dhaka on November 5, 2026 at 15:00 IST.
- India are seeking a record-extending 10th SAFF Championship title, according to RevSportz.
- Naushad Moosa is coaching a second-string squad because the first-choice squad travels to New Zealand for friendlies.
- Sportstar reported that India arrived in Dhaka on November 3 without allocated hotel rooms.
- India won the last edition of the SAFF Championship, defeating Kuwait in the final in Bengaluru.
India will begin their SAFF Championship 2026 title defence against Pakistan in their opening Group B fixture at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 15:00 IST.
India are the defending champions after winning the previous edition in 2023, defeating Kuwait in the final in Bengaluru. The Blue Tigers are aiming for a record-extending 10th SAFF Championship title; Sportstar reported that India have won the tournament a record nine times.
India enter the tournament ranked 138th in the FIFA rankings, while Pakistan are placed 197th. The two sides have met 29 times in senior internationals, with India winning 16 matches, Pakistan four and nine ending in draws.
Their most recent meeting was at the SAFF Championship 2023 in Bengaluru, where India registered a 4-0 victory.
India travel with a second-string squad
Naushad Moosa is in charge of India’s second-string squad for the SAFF Championship 2026. The first-choice squad is set to travel to New Zealand for two friendlies under senior national team head coach Khalid Jamil.
Most clubs refused to release key players for the opening match because it falls outside the FIFA international window.
Fifteen out of the 28 members of the squad trained in Kolkata on November 2, while three more joined them before the contingent left for Dhaka on Tuesday.
The team landed in the Bangladesh capital around 2:15 pm after a slight delay and was given the address of a private hotel on Gulshan Avenue, but on reaching the property, the players were told rooms had not been allocated for them.
Until 5:00 pm IST, the players were yet to have rooms to stay in the capital.
Moosa said at the pre-tournament press conference in Dhaka on Wednesday that he expects a different Pakistan team compared to the one India faced in the last SAFF Championship and that his side is prepared.
He added that there is no particular pressure, only motivation to give their best and put everything on the pitch.
Moosa acknowledged the responsibility of defending the title and playing away from home, but stressed that his priority is for the team to focus on its football rather than the pressure of retaining the trophy.
Group B fixtures and tournament path
India have been drawn alongside Pakistan and Maldives in Group B. The Blue Tigers will face Maldives in their second and final group fixture on November 11, also at 15:00 IST. Hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan make up Group A. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, which will be played on November 14. The final is scheduled for November 17.
Head-to-head and ranking figures
Statistic | India | Pakistan |
|---|---|---|
FIFA ranking | 138th | 197th |
Senior international wins | 16 | 4 |
Draws in 29 meetings | 9 | 9 |
Most recent result | 4-0 win in 2023 | 4-0 loss in 2023 |
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