India to face Bhutan in SAFF Championship 2026 semi-final in Dhaka on November 14
India will play Bhutan in the semi-finals of the SAFF Championship 2026 at the National Stadium in Dhaka on 14 November, with kick-off scheduled for 02:30 PM IST.
India progressed to the last four as Group B winners with six points, finishing ahead of Pakistan (three) while Maldives finished with no points; their group results were a 3-2 win over Pakistan and a 1-0 victory against Maldives. The 3-2 opener saw India lead 3-0 at half-time before Pakistan pulled two goals back in stoppage time, while the win over Maldives was settled by Suhail Bhat’s 38th-minute penalty and preserved by late saves from Priyansh Dubey. India are seeking a record-extending 10th SAFF title; they hold nine and won the last edition in 2023, beating Kuwait in the final in Bengaluru.
The Blue Tigers are favourites on paper but arrive with defensive concerns and a depleted squad. India conceded twice in added time against Pakistan, the second in the 94th minute, and Priyansh Dubey saved Ali Hamdhaan’s free-kick in the 79th minute and Muzdhaan Hassan’s shot five minutes later versus Maldives. Coach Moosa has made seven changes between the Pakistan and Maldives games, several first-choice players are away on New Zealand friendlies, Bijoy Varghese left for New Zealand with Chinglensana Singh Konsham taking the armband, and Moosa has only two sessions before the semi.
Suhail Bhat has been India’s primary attacking outlet in the tournament. The Mohun Bagan forward, 21, had one senior cap before the competition and has scored three goals in two appearances: a 13th-minute tap-in from Muhammad Suhail’s low cross and a second on 19 minutes assisted by Suryavanshi against Pakistan, plus the 38th-minute penalty against Maldives which he placed into the bottom left corner. The article notes two of those goals came from close-range service and one was a spot-kick, posing the question of whether he can score without similar delivery into the box.
Bhutan reached the semi-finals via a narrower route and enter as clear underdogs on rankings and form. They lost 1-0 to Bangladesh in their opener after conceding in the 69th minute, then drew 2-2 with Sri Lanka having trailed 2-1 at half-time; Dawa Tshering opened the scoring in the 34th minute and Jigme Gyeltshen equalised in the 76th minute following a Sri Lanka defensive mistake. Bangladesh’s 4-0 win over Sri Lanka in the final group game sent Bangladesh through as runners-up on goal difference, meaning Bhutan’s progress was decided by another result rather than their own final-day outcome; this is Bhutan’s first semi-final since 2008, when India were their opponents.
Bhutan are coached by Australian manager and former professional Gary Phillips, who the article says has over 25 years of coaching experience and has been with Bhutan since August 2026; the Dragon Boys are ranked 192nd. The report expects Bhutan to sit in a low block, attempt to exploit transitions and target second balls from India’s loose possession, and notes Bhutan have never beaten India. Their captain, Jigme Gyeltshen, is described as Bhutan’s most capped player and all-time top scorer and has played domestically and in Thailand, Bangladesh and India, including spells with Minerva Punjab, Bengaluru FC, NEROCA and Kerala Blasters in 2021-22.
Predicted lineups supplied in the preview are: India — Dubey (GK); Sandip Mandi, Chinglensana (c), Muhammed Uvais, Abdul Rabeeh; Khaiminthang Lungdim, Ricky Shabong, Suryavanshi, Macarton Nickson; Brison Fernandes, Suhail Bhat. Bhutan (4-3-3) — Zangpo (GK); Seltob, Phuntsho, Tenzin, Nima; Pema, Tsheltrium, Jigme; Dawa, Chencho (c), Kinga. Head-to-head statistics included in the piece list Matches Played: 06 India Wins: 06 Bhutan Wins: 0 Draws – 0.
Kick-off is at 02:30 PM IST at the National Stadium in Dhaka and the match will be streamed live on the VETO app with no live TV telecast in India. The winner will face either Bangladesh or Pakistan in the final on 17 November; the other semi-final is scheduled to kick off after this match.