Defending champions India will face Pakistan in their SAFF Championship 2026 opener as scheduled. Both sides are set to face each other on November 5 in Dhaka.
Sports Now can confirm that India will begin their title defence without several first-choice players.
The first stage of the tournament overlaps with ISL fixtures. The likes of Mohun Bagan (November 5), FC Goa (November 6, East Bengal (November 7) and Bengaluru FC (November 6) have their matches before the FIFA international window.
ISL clubs are also unwilling to release their key players. According to a source close to the development, the clubs have agreed to release some of the squad before the FIFA international window.
For the tournament, India is expected to have its full squad from the second and final group stage fixture. The international window opens on November 9, and India face Maldives on November 11.
‘Only some players will be released for the Pakistan match’
Doubts about India’s participation arose as the start of the tournament was outside the FIFA window, and clubs were also reluctant to release players in the middle of the season.
The source said, “Only some players will be released for the Pakistan match. Other players will join before Maldives.”
Also, India is expected to field a U23 side at the tournament, as the first-choice senior team will travel to New Zealand for two friendlies (November 12 in Auckland and November 15 in Christchurch).
Other than U23 players, the team will also experience older fringe players, who will get a chance to prove their credentials on the international stage. The team in Bangladesh will also be managed by India U23 head coach Naushad Moosa.
India go into the tournament as the most successful team in SAFF Championship history. They retained their title in Bengaluru in 2023 by beating Kuwait on penalties in the final. If they progress from the group, the semi-finals are on November 14 and the final on November 17.