India to meet Pakistan in SAFF Championship opener in Bangladesh on Nov 5, 2026

India will open the SAFF Championship 2026 against Pakistan in Bangladesh on 5 November 2026.

Hosts Bangladesh will face Bhutan in the tournament’s second match on the same day, scheduled for 7:30 pm.

The SAFF Championship will be staged in Bangladesh and is billed to feature several of South Asia’s developing football nations in competitive fixtures; the Indian Men’s National Football Team, known as the Blue Tigers, arrive with an aim to win a 10th SAFF title.

India complete their group stage against the Maldives on 11 November 2026, with that match due to kick off at 3:00 pm, and the preview suggested both group games—against Pakistan and Maldives—could be straightforward ties for India because of their favorable head-to-head records.

Against Pakistan specifically, India have recorded 16 wins in 25 meetings.

After the group phase the tournament shifts to a knockout format, with semi-finals set for 14 November: Group B champions will meet the Group A runners-up at 2:30 pm, and the Group A champions will play the Group B runners-up at 8:00 pm.

India will face Pakistan on 5 November 2026 at 3:00 PM IST. The final is scheduled for 17 November 2026 at 7:30 PM IST.