Hosts Bangladesh have been drawn in Group A alongside Sri Lanka and Bhutan for the 2026 SAFF Championship, with Nepal set to join the group if FIFA lifts its suspension before the tournament.
The draw for the 15th edition of South Asia's premier international football tournament was held in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Saturday.
As hosts, Bangladesh were placed in Group A, while regional powerhouse and defending champions India were seeded separately in Group B as the highest-ranked South Asian nation, ensuring the two sides cannot meet before the knockout stage.
Bangladesh's group currently features Sri Lanka and Bhutan, but SAFF confirmed Nepal will be included if FIFA lifts the suspension on the All Nepal Football Association by September 1. If the ban remains in place, the tournament will proceed with six teams.
Group B comprises defending champions India, the Maldives and Pakistan.
The championship will be staged in Dhaka from November 4 to 17, marking Bangladesh's first time hosting the tournament since 2018. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for November 14, with the final set for November 17.
Bangladesh will look to end a 23-year wait for their second SAFF title, having lifted the trophy only once in 2003. The hosts are expected to field a strengthened squad featuring expatriate footballers such as Hamza Choudhury and Shamit Shome as they bid to capitalise on home advantage.
The tournament, originally scheduled for 2025, was postponed by a year before SAFF confirmed Bangladesh as the host nation earlier this year.
SAFF Championship 2026 draw
Group A: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal (subject to FIFA lifting suspension)
Group B: India, Maldives, Pakistan
