KARACHI: Pakistan and India are set to renew one of sport’s most intense rivalries on the football pitch after the two nations were drawn together in Group B of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship 2026, scheduled to take place in Bangladesh from November 4 to 17.
SAFF Championship 2026
India 🇮🇳 drawn in Group B along with Maldives 🇲🇻 and Pakistan 🇵🇰 https://t.co/Uf6xrCmmt2
— Shaji Prabhakaran (@Shaji4Football) August 1, 2026
The draw, held on Saturday in Thimphu, Bhutan, placed the traditional arch-rivals alongside Maldives in Group B, while hosts Bangladesh were joined by Nepal and Bhutan in Group A. The six-team tournament, originally slated to feature seven nations, was reduced following the suspension of the Nepal Football Association by FIFA.
India enter the competition as defending champions, having lifted the 2023 title on home soil with a victory over Kuwait. Pakistan, meanwhile, will be eager to make their mark in a tournament that carries immense regional pride and historical significance for both nations.
Tournament format: Path to the semi-finals
As per the SAFF Championship format, each team will face their group opponents once in the league stage, with the top two sides from each group advancing to the semi-finals. This means Pakistan must finish among the top two in Group B, ahead of either India or Maldives – to progress to the knockout rounds.
Our group stage opponents for the 2026 SAFF Championship are now confirmed 🇵🇰🦅 pic.twitter.com/Hm5gXqf6cC
— Pakistan Football Federation (@TheRealPFF) August 1, 2026
The group-stage fixtures promise high drama, particularly the Pakistan-India encounter, which consistently ranks among world football’s most-watched and emotionally charged matches. With regional bragging rights and a place in the semi-finals at stake, both teams will leave nothing to chance.
Historic FIFA ASEAN Cup debut awaits Pakistan
Before the SAFF Championship, Pakistan’s men’s national team is set to make history with their debut in the FIFA ASEAN Cup, scheduled to be played in Indonesia during the September-October international window.
The tournament marks a monumental milestone for Pakistan football, as the men’s team prepares to compete in a FIFA competition for the first time. This follows the women’s national team’s groundbreaking participation in the FIFA Series earlier this year, signalling a new era of international exposure for Pakistani football.
Read Also: Pakistan Reach Semi-Finals of SAFF U17 Championship After Defeating Sri Lanka
Pakistan are among 14 teams taking part in the inaugural competition and one of eight nations competing in the top-tier Division One. The Green Shirts have been drawn in Division One Group B alongside Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines, while India headline Division One Group A with Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
The ASEAN Cup debut provides Pakistan with a crucial opportunity to gain valuable international experience and test themselves against higher-ranked Asian opposition ahead of the SAFF Championship.
Read Also: Pakistan Footballers to Play in India for First Time in Nine Years Tomorrow
Pakistan’s road ahead: A defining year for football
The upcoming months represent a defining period for Pakistan football. The ASEAN Cup debut offers a platform to showcase the nation’s progress on a continental stage, while the SAFF Championship provides a realistic opportunity to challenge for regional supremacy.
Pakistan’s football authorities have been working tirelessly to improve the national team’s infrastructure and competitiveness, with recent performances showing glimpses of promise. The Green Shirts will look to build momentum through their ASEAN Cup campaign and carry that confidence into the SAFF Championship against their fiercest rivals.
SAFF 2026 Official Draws:
Group A
🇧🇩 Bangladesh
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
🇧🇹 BhutanGroup B
🇮🇳 India
🇲🇻 Maldives
🇵🇰 Pakistan#PakistanFootball pic.twitter.com/3wMiWWrxXR— Abba’s Notebook (@AbbasNotebook) August 1, 2026
For the Pakistan-India fixture, history, pride, and passion will collide on the pitch once again. With millions of fans on both sides of the border eagerly awaiting the clash, the SAFF Championship 2026 promises to deliver drama, excitement, and the enduring spectacle of South Asian football’s greatest rivalry.
