India to face Pakistan in SAFF Championship 2026 opener in Dhaka on 5 November — live on VETO app

India and Pakistan meet at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Thursday, 5 November 2026, in the SAFF Championship 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 3 PM IST and a live stream available on the VETO app. The fixture is their 30th encounter and the Blue Tigers hold the upper hand in the head-to-head record.

The SAFF Championship 2026 is being hosted by Bangladesh, and India enter the tournament as nine-time champions, having last won the competition in 2023. India are preparing to defend that title and aim for a 10th championship. Pakistan have named a squad featuring experienced players for the South Asian tournament and remain without a SAFF title to date. The match in Dhaka opens the competition for both sides.

The All India Football Federation has given Naushad Moosa the responsibility to coach the Indian side, a decision made in the context of two high-profile international friendlies against New Zealand scheduled in the November window. Moosa’s selection accompanies the inclusion of some new faces in the squad as India look to blend promising talent with experience. The article notes that maintaining a compact, steady defensive line is regarded as a useful approach for India against Pakistan’s early attacking intent.

Pakistan’s squad announcement emphasises experienced and tested players to contest the South Asian tournament, and the team are expected to seek attacking outlets from the start of the game. Pakistan remain in search of their first SAFF Championship title as they face the region’s most-decorated side. The contest is therefore being framed as a challenging opener for both teams.

Matches between India and Pakistan attract heightened attention beyond the immediate sporting contest, the report says, with historical background and political tensions contributing to wider interest in such fixtures. That broader context has an influence on public and media attention surrounding this meeting in Dhaka.

The SAFF Championship 2026 opener between India and Pakistan will take place on Thursday, 5 November 2026 at the National Stadium, Dhaka, with a 3 PM IST kickoff; supporters can watch the match via the VETO app.