Pakistan’s football team clinched a place in the SAFF Championship 2026 semi‑finals after India defeated the Maldives 1‑0 at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday, confirming the Group B standings.
The win left India top of Group B with six points, Pakistan second with three points and the Maldives without a point after losing both of their matches.
Pakistan recovered from a 3‑2 opening‑match loss to India by beating the Maldives 3‑0 on 8 November, with McKeal Abdullah converting an early penalty and 19‑year‑old striker Najeeb Ullah adding a brace to seal the victory.
Under head coach Nolberto Solano, Pakistan dominated the first half against the Maldives, creating several chances and controlling possession before extending their lead in the second period.
Najeeb Ullah has emerged as Pakistan’s standout scorer, netting three goals in two games, while Abdullah’s penalty set the tone for the comprehensive win over the Maldives.
The squad received a further boost from five diaspora players – Abdullah Iqbal, Easah Suliman, Adil Nabi, Ali Akbar Khan and Abdul Samad – who became eligible for selection ahead of the knockout stage.
Pakistan will meet the Group A winners in the semi‑final on 14 November; the opponent will be decided after the Wednesday night clash between hosts Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Group A currently sees Bangladesh leading with three points after a 1‑0 victory over Bhutan, while Sri Lanka sit second with one point following a 2‑2 draw with the same side.
The semi‑final berth gives Pakistan a realistic chance to reach the final and improve its regional ranking ahead of future South Asian tournaments.
Brief scores: India 1‑0 Maldives (National Stadium, Dhaka); Pakistan 3‑0 Maldives (Dhaka, 8 Nov); Pakistan 3‑2 India (Dhaka, opening match).
Join the conversation