India and Pakistan drawn in same group for SAFF Championship 2026
The 15th South Asian Football Federation Championship placed defending champions India alongside Pakistan and Maldives in Group B; the draw was held in Thimphu, Bhutan on August 1; the tournament runs in Bangladesh in November
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Summary
The South Asian Football Federation's 15th Championship will place defending champions India in Group B alongside Pakistan and Maldives, after the group draw was held in Thimphu, Bhutan on August 1. India, seeking a record tenth SAFF title, open against Maldives on November 5 before facing Pakistan on November 11. The full tournament runs in Dhaka, Bangladesh from November 4 to 17, 2026. India have dominated the competition, winning nine of the 14 previous editions. The India-Pakistan grouping, two countries that rarely meet in sports, draws significant regional attention.
The split
All six sources came from Indian outlets, treating the draw primarily as an India-Pakistan rivalry story. No Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Maldivian perspectives appeared in the feed. The Indian framing focused on India's record-chasing campaign rather than the tournament's broader regional character.
By the numbers
- 10, title count India is targeting
- 15, edition number of the SAFF Championship
- 3, teams in Group B: India, Pakistan, Maldives
- November 4 to 17, tournament dates in Dhaka
Why it matters
The SAFF Championship is South Asia's main international football tournament. An India-Pakistan group-stage match carries political weight beyond the pitch and attracts large viewership across the subcontinent. India's record bid in a group with its main rival sets up a high-stakes fixture at the tournament's early stage.
What to watch
- Full Group A composition and schedule
- Whether Pakistan advances past the group stage
- Broadcast and venue arrangements in Bangladesh