SAFF Championship 2026: Pakistan vs India Opener Today in Dhaka

The SAFF Championship begins today with the region's biggest football rivalry, as Pakistan take on defending champions India in the Group B opener at the National Stadium in Dhaka.

The SAFF Championship match kicks off at 3:00 PM IST, which is 2:30 PM in Pakistan, on Thursday, November 5. It is the first match of a tournament that runs until November 17, with every game set to be played at the National Stadium in Dhaka.

India are the defending champions of the SAFF Championship, having won the title in 2023, and they arrive in Dhaka chasing a record ninth title. They are the most successful team in the competition's history, and they will start this campaign as favourites even though they have brought a young, developmental squad.

Pakistan, meanwhile, will see the SAFF Championship opener as a chance to test themselves against the region's strongest side. An opening match against India is the hardest possible start, but it is also the fixture that carries the most attention, and a strong performance would set the tone for the rest of Pakistan's tournament.

India have named a 28-member squad for the SAFF Championship, but only 18 players travelled to Dhaka from Kolkata on November 3, with the remaining 10 set to join the group over the following days. Head coach Naushad Moosa, who normally coaches India's under-23 team, is leading the side, with Bibiano Fernandes as his assistant. Because the opener falls outside the FIFA international window, some players may miss the Pakistan game and join before the second group match.

The India squad still includes players with senior international experience. Liston Colaco, Irfan Yadwad and Brison Fernandes are among the notable names, along with Suresh Singh Wangjam, Farukh Choudhary and Nikhil Prabhu. The mix of senior players and age-group talent is deliberate: India are using the SAFF Championship to blood young players while the senior team prepares for two friendly matches against New Zealand.

Pakistan's SAFF Championship squad includes goalkeepers Saqib Hanif, Hassan Ali and Yousuf Butt, along with Easah Suliman, Haris Zeb, Alamgir Ghazi and Shayak Dost. The 28-member squad was announced ahead of the tournament, and Pakistan will hope its mix of experience and youth can compete with a much-changed Indian side.

SAFF Championship: Group B and schedule

India, Pakistan and Maldives are drawn together in Group B of the SAFF Championship. India play Pakistan today and then face Maldives on November 11, again at 3:00 PM IST. The final of the SAFF Championship is scheduled for November 17 at 7:30 PM IST, also at the National Stadium in Dhaka.

The three-team group makes every result important. With only two group matches each, neither side can afford a slow start, and the opener between Pakistan and India could go a long way towards deciding who finishes on top of the group.

The SAFF Championship is South Asia's leading international football competition, and the Pakistan versus India fixture is its most watched game. Meetings between the two sides always draw interest far beyond the usual football audience, and today's opener is no different, with fans on both sides of the border following team news closely.

SAFF Championship: where to watch

For fans following the SAFF Championship from home, live streaming will be available exclusively on the VETO platform. There will be no live television broadcast of the tournament in India, which makes the streaming platform the only official way to watch the matches.

Supporters in Pakistan should check the VETO platform for access details ahead of kickoff, as the match starts in the early afternoon Pakistan time and interest is expected to be high.

Today's game is about more than three points. For India, the SAFF Championship opener is the first step in defending a title they have owned for much of the competition's history. For Pakistan, it is a rare chance to measure progress against the region's benchmark team in a competitive match, not a friendly.

Whatever the result, the SAFF Championship will have its first talking point by this evening, and the group will take shape from there.

SAFF Championship: frequently asked questions

When is the Pakistan vs India match in the SAFF Championship? The match is today, Thursday, November 5, at 3:00 PM IST (2:30 PM PKT) at the National Stadium in Dhaka.

Where can I watch the SAFF Championship? Live streaming of the SAFF Championship is available exclusively on the VETO platform. There is no live television broadcast in India.

Who is coaching India at the SAFF Championship? Naushad Moosa, India's under-23 head coach, is leading the team, with Bibiano Fernandes as assistant coach.

When is the SAFF Championship final? The SAFF Championship final is scheduled for November 17 at 7:30 PM IST at the National Stadium in Dhaka.

Who are India playing after Pakistan in the SAFF Championship? India face Maldives on November 11 at 3:00 PM IST in their second Group B match.