Male' Maldives: Bangladesh secured a semi-final clash against Nepal, while India will take on Bhutan following the completion of the group stage at the SAFF U-20 Championship 2026 in Malé.
In Group A, Nepal finished as group leaders with seven points. Bhutan claimed second place with four points after defeating Sri Lanka in the final group match. Sri Lanka ended third with three points, while hosts Maldives finished at the bottom of the table with two points.
Group B concluded with India and Bangladesh both collecting four points, with India advancing as group winners on goal difference. Pakistan exited the tournament after suffering defeats in both of their matches.
Bangladesh confirmed their place in the last four after earning a hard-fought 1–1 draw against India at the National Football Stadium. India opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Vishal Yadav rose highest to power in a header from a corner after a strong opening spell from the Indian side.
Bangladesh responded in first-half stoppage time through Md Abdul Riyad Fahim, who headed in from a precise corner delivered by Ronan Sullivan, bringing the match level before halftime and shifting momentum.
The contest also saw tensions rise on the touchline, with India’s goalkeeping coach Sandip Nandy and Bangladesh head coach Mark Edward Cox both sent off following a heated exchange late in the first half.
Although both teams made tactical changes and created opportunities after the interval, neither side managed to find a decisive goal, leaving India top of the group and Bangladesh advancing to the knockout stage.
The semi-finals will be played on Wednesday, with Nepal facing Bangladesh in the evening fixture before India meet Bhutan in the night match
