---
title: "India Faces Pakistan and Maldives in Dhaka for 2026 SAFF Championship Defense"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/india-faces-pakistan-and-maldives-in-dhaka-for-2026-saff-championship-defense-p9nl4
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Sports
published: 2026-08-01T19:08:02.000Z
modified: 2026-08-01T22:00:24.116Z
language: en-IN
---

# India Faces Pakistan and Maldives in Dhaka for 2026 SAFF Championship Defense

India's quest for a tenth sub-continental title begins in Group B against Maldives and Pakistan this November. The tournament schedule in Dhaka remains subject to the resolution of Nepal's FIFA suspension.

## Key takeaways

- India is placed in Group B with Maldives and Pakistan for the 2026 SAFF Championship in Dhaka.
- The tournament begins November 4, with India's first match against Maldives scheduled for November 5.
- Nepal's participation depends on FIFA lifting the All Nepal Football Association suspension by September 1, 2026.
- India currently holds nine SAFF titles and defeated Kuwait to win the most recent edition in 2023.

## Group Dynamics and Tournament Structure

Defending champions India will head to Dhaka, Bangladesh, to compete in the 15th edition of the SAFF Championship from November 4 to 17, 2026. Following the official draw held in Thimphu, Bhutan, on August 1, India occupies Group B alongside Maldives and Pakistan. Group A currently features Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. A potential seventh participant, Nepal, awaits the outcome of an All Nepal Football Association suspension; should FIFA lift the ban by September 1, Nepal will join Group A. Without them, the competition proceeds with six nations.

The tournament format dictates that the two highest-ranked teams from each group progress to the knockout stage. Semi-final fixtures are set for November 14, where group winners will cross paths with the opposing group's runners-up. The championship concludes with a final match on November 17.

## India’s Path to a Potential Tenth Title

The Blue Tigers start their campaign on November 5 against Maldives, followed by a high-stakes encounter with Pakistan on November 11. Statistical history heavily favors the Indian side as they seek to build on their nine previous titles earned in 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2021, and 2023.

### Historical Dominance and Recent Form

- Pakistan: India maintains a commanding record with 16 wins out of 25 matches. Their most recent meeting in the 2023 edition resulted in a 4-0 victory for India.
- Maldives: In 18 head-to-head matches, India has secured 13 victories. The two sides last met in a March 2025 friendly in Shillong, where India won 3-0.

India enters the 2026 tournament following a successful 2023 run, which culminated in a victory over guest participants Kuwait during the final in Bengaluru. As the regional powerhouse, the Indian squad remains the statistical favorite to retain the trophy in the Bangladeshi capital.

Source: The Hindu — Sport

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/india-faces-pakistan-and-maldives-in-dhaka-for-2026-saff-championship-defense-p9nl4
Reported from: The Hindu — Sport