India to defend SAFF Championship title against Pakistan in Dhaka
The All India Football Federation has fielded a second-string side for the tournament opener on Thursday.
India will begin its SAFF Championship title defence against Pakistan on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, according to Firstpost.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 03:00 PM IST. While there will be no live telecast in India, fans can watch the live stream on the VETO app and website.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has fielded a second-string side for the tournament as the senior team and head coach Khalid Jamil prioritise upcoming friendlies against New Zealand.
Naushad Moosa, the India U23 head coach, will lead the squad. Bibiano Fernandes has been named assistant coach, while Patshuram Salwadi will serve as goalkeeping coach and Saifulla as strength and conditioning coach.
India is the defending champion with nine previous titles and is seeking a tenth. Pakistan, led by coach Nolberto Solano, features players such as Abdullah Iqbal.
The Indian squad includes goalkeepers Arsh Anwer Shaikh, Mohanraj K, and Priyansh Dubey, alongside a roster of defenders, midfielders, and forwards led by players like Liston Colaco and Farukh Choudhary.
