Defending champions India begin their SAFF Championship 2026 campaign with a high-profile opening Group B fixture against arch-rivals Pakistan at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Thursday afternoon. The Blue Tigers enter the regional tournament aiming for a record-extending 10th title, while Pakistan are looking to make history by reaching the final for the first time.
India have travelled to Dhaka with a depleted 18-player squad under the charge of head coach Naushad Moosa, as senior team coach Khalid Jamil takes a separate squad to New Zealand for international friendlies. The Indian Super League club schedule and player availability issues outside the official FIFA international window also impacted squad selection, with remaining players set to join after November 9.
Speaking at the pre-tournament press conference in Dhaka, Moosa acknowledged the challenges of defending the title away from home with a young squad. He said that his primary focus is on good football rather than the pressure of retaining the trophy, adding that he expects a different challenge from Pakistan compared to previous encounters.
Pakistan arrive in the tournament under the guidance of head coach Nolberto Solano, who took charge last year. The squad features Danish-born captain and defender Abdullah Iqbal, who plays his club football for Mjallby AIF in Sweden, as Pakistan aim to improve upon their historical best finish of third place achieved in 1997.
Historically, India hold a dominant head-to-head record against Pakistan, having won 16 out of 29 senior international meetings, with Pakistan winning four and nine matches ending in draws. In their most recent encounter at the 2023 SAFF Championship in Bengaluru, India secured a 4-0 victory courtesy of a Sunil Chhetri hat-trick and a goal from Udanta Singh Kumam.
India are drawn in Group B alongside Pakistan and Maldives, whom they will face in their second group fixture on November 11. Group A comprises hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the semi-finals scheduled for November 14 ahead of the final on November 17.
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