India Face Pakistan in SAFF Championship Opener as Tournament Introduces VAR

Tournament Details

Defending champions India will kick off their SAFF Championship 2026 campaign against Pakistan in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on November 5. The tournament runs from November 5 to 17 at the National Stadium in Dhaka and features six participating nations. According to South Asian Football Federation general secretary P Kattel, Nepal cannot participate due to a FIFA suspension. The remaining teams are split into two groups, with India placed in Group B alongside Pakistan and Maldives, while hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan form Group A.

Squad and Coaching

India has named a 28-member squad for the tournament. Naushad Moosa serves as the head coach of the team, with Bibiano Fernandes joining as assistant coach. Parshuram Salwadi is the goalkeeping coach, and Saifulla handles strength and conditioning. Eighteen players will travel from Kolkata to Dhaka on November 3, while the remaining ten players will join the group over the following days. AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan thanked domestic clubs for cooperating and releasing their players for national duty. Following the opening match against Pakistan at 15:00 IST on November 5, India will face Maldives on November 11 at the same time. The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals on November 14, leading up to the final on November 17.

VAR Debut and Officials

Video Assistant Referee technology will make its debut in South Asian football during this tournament. Organisers plan to implement VAR for the semi-finals and final, with internal test runs taking place during the group stages. Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to attend the November 17 final as chief guest. India enters the tournament aiming for a record-extending 10th SAFF Championship title, having won the previous edition in 2023 by defeating Kuwait in Bengaluru.

Context

The SAFF Championship is the premier international football competition for national teams governed by the South Asian Football Federation. The tournament serves as a key regional platform for developing football talent and competitive experience across South Asian nations.