India’s participation in the 2026 SAFF Championship remains uncertain as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) weighs its priorities for the November international window, with the senior team expected to face New Zealand in two international friendlies.
The SAFF Championship is scheduled to take place in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 4 to 17 November. However, the tournament begins before the FIFA international window opens on 7 November, creating a scheduling challenge for India and raising concerns over the availability of players.
According to reports, India’s senior team is expected to prioritise the friendlies against New Zealand, who participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As a result, AIFF could send an Under-23 or reserve-heavy squad to defend India’s SAFF Championship title.
India head coach Khalid Jamil is understood to favour facing stronger international opposition, believing the matches against New Zealand would provide valuable experience as he continues developing the national team.
The scheduling conflict could also complicate player releases, as the SAFF Championship overlaps with domestic league commitments. Several Indian clubs are expected to be involved in Indian Super League fixtures during the regional tournament, potentially limiting the availability of senior players.
India, the defending champions and nine-time winners of the SAFF Championship, have been drawn in Group B alongside the Maldives and Pakistan. Their campaign is scheduled to begin against the Maldives on 5 November, followed by a match against Pakistan on 11 November.
The possibility of India fielding a younger or reserve-based squad could have a significant impact on the competition, particularly for the Maldives, who will face the defending champions in the group stage.
With the tournament approaching, India’s final squad arrangements and the extent of club cooperation are likely to play a key role in determining the strength of the team that competes in Dhaka.
