India drawn with Maldives and Pakistan for SAFF Championship 2026

India have been drawn alongside Maldives and Pakistan for the SAFF Championship 2026. Chasing a record-extending 10th SAFF championship title, India will begin their campaign against Maldives on November 5 before taking on Pakistan on November 11.

The draw fixes India’s opening fixtures in the tournament and outlines the early path the team will follow. The November 5 match against Maldives and the November 11 meeting with Pakistan will serve as the initial competitive tests in the competition. Those two dates are now official elements of India’s SAFF 2026 schedule.

For the Indian side, the pair of fixtures sets up the opening phase of their title defence bid. Chasing a record-extending 10th SAFF championship title, India will begin their campaign against Maldives on November 5 before taking on Pakistan on November 11. The sequence of matches gives clarity to the team’s early timetable in the competition.

The confirmed opponents include regional rivals Maldives and Pakistan, and both matches fall within the early November window. The scheduling places the two encounters six days apart, with the Maldives fixture preceding the Pakistan game. Details beyond the dates and opponents have not been altered by the draw announcement.

With the draw complete, India now has fixed dates to prepare for as they pursue another SAFF Championship crown. Chasing a record-extending 10th SAFF championship title, India will begin their campaign against Maldives on November 5 before taking on Pakistan on November 11. Preparations and selections will proceed with those fixtures in mind.

The announcement finalises the opening segment of India’s campaign in SAFF Championship 2026. The matches on November 5 and November 11 will mark the commencement of India’s attempt to extend their SAFF title record.