SAFF Championship 2026: India vs Pakistan opener in Dhaka today at 3 PM IST
Synopsis
India's bid for a record 10th SAFF Championship title begins with the highest-stakes group fixture possible — a clash against Pakistan in Dhaka. Coach Naushad Moosa is fielding a young side, with senior stars occupied elsewhere, yet history heavily favours the Blue Tigers: 16 wins in 29 meetings, including a 4-0 rout the last time these sides met in 2023.
Key Takeaways
India face Pakistan in their SAFF Championship 2026 Group B opener at the National Stadium, Dhaka on 4 November at 3 PM IST .
India lead the all-time head-to-head 16–4 across 29 senior international meetings, with 9 draws .
The last meeting at the 2023 SAFF Championship ended 4-0 to India; Sunil Chhetri scored a hat-trick.
India are ranked 138th in FIFA standings; Pakistan are ranked 197th .
India's next group match is against the Maldives on 11 November ; the final is set for 17 November .
India are chasing a record-extending 10th SAFF Championship title, having won the 2023 edition against Kuwait.
Defending champions India open their SAFF Championship 2026 title defence against arch-rivals Pakistan in Group B at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Thursday, 4 November, with kick-off scheduled for 3 PM IST. The Blue Tigers are chasing a record-extending 10th SAFF Championship title, making this opener far more than a routine group fixture.
Head-to-Head and What History Says
The two nations have met 29 times in senior international football. India lead the head-to-head convincingly with 16 wins to Pakistan's four, and nine draws. Their most recent encounter, at the 2023 SAFF Championship in Bengaluru, ended in a commanding 4-0 victory for India — former captain Sunil Chhetri struck a hat-trick, while Udanta Singh Kumam added the fourth. That result underscores India's historical dominance, but head coach Naushad Moosa has cautioned against complacency.
What Moosa Said Ahead of the Match
'We are going to face a different Pakistan team compared to the one we faced in the last SAFF Championship, and we are definitely prepared for that. We would certainly like to win the match. I don't think there is any particular pressure. Rather, it is about having the motivation to give our best and put everything on the pitch. Hopefully, we can come away with a good result,' Moosa said at the pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday.
The coach also emphasised mental freedom over title pressure: 'What is important to me is that my players play with a free mind. I am not really worried about defending the title. What I am concerned about is playing good football. When the team plays good football, the results will follow,' he added.
A Young Squad with Context
India have named a relatively young squad for this edition. Several first-choice players are committed to two international friendlies against New Zealand under senior national team head coach Khalid Jamil, leaving Moosa to build his campaign with emerging talent. India are currently ranked 138th in the FIFA rankings, while Pakistan sit at 197th. Notably, playing away from home in Bangladesh adds another layer of challenge for the defending champions.
Group Stage Schedule and Path to the Final
India are placed in Group B alongside Pakistan and the Maldives. After Thursday's opener against Pakistan, India will face the Maldives on 11 November. The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals on 14 November, with the final scheduled for 17 November. India won the 2023 edition by defeating Kuwait in the final in Bengaluru. A strong start against Pakistan today would significantly ease their path to the knockout rounds.
Point of View
But it sets an odd precedent for a defending champion playing an away tournament. Moosa's 'free mind' framing is tactically sound, yet it also quietly manages expectations downward. The real story here is not whether India beat Pakistan on Thursday — the head-to-head makes that likely — but whether this young squad can hold form across a compressed schedule that demands three matches in under two weeks.
NationPress
4 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the India vs Pakistan SAFF Championship 2026 match?
The match kicks off at 3 PM IST on 4 November 2026 at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh . It is India's opening Group B fixture of the tournament.
What is India's head-to-head record against Pakistan in football?
India have a commanding record against Pakistan, winning 16 of their 29 senior international meetings, with Pakistan winning 4 and 9 ending in draws. Their last clash at the 2023 SAFF Championship saw India win 4-0 , with Sunil Chhetri scoring a hat-trick.
Why is India fielding a young squad at SAFF Championship 2026?
Several of India's senior players are occupied with two international friendlies against New Zealand under head coach Khalid Jamil . Coach Naushad Moosa is therefore leading a younger group at the SAFF Championship in Dhaka.
What is India's target at SAFF Championship 2026?
India are defending their 2023 SAFF Championship title and are chasing a record-extending 10th SAFF Championship crown. They won the previous edition by defeating Kuwait in the final in Bengaluru.
What is the full SAFF Championship 2026 schedule for India?
India face Pakistan on 4 November , then the Maldives on 11 November in Group B. The semi-finals are on 14 November and the final is scheduled for 17 November — all matches at venues in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
