Defending champions India have announced their 28 for the SAFF Championship 2026. The tournament will take place in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from November 5 to 17. Naushad Musa has been appointed as the head coach of the national team.
Musa, currently the coach of India’s Under-23 men’s team, will lead the squad as they aim to defend their title. Bibiano Fernandes has been named as the assistant coach. Fernandes recently coached the Under-15 men’s team during the FIFA Under-15 World Cup and Festival held in Azerbaijan.
India clinched their last title in 2023 by defeating Kuwait in the final held in Bengaluru. The team is now focused on securing their 10th championship, adding to their record of nine titles. In the group stage, India has been placed in Group B alongside the Maldives and Pakistan. They will kick off their campaign against Pakistan on November 5, followed by a match against the Maldives on November 11. Both matches are scheduled to start at 3 PM IST.
Meanwhile, M. Satyanarayana, the Deputy Secretary General of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), expressed gratitude to the clubs for their support in sending players for this continental tournament. He stated, “We thank all clubs for their cooperation and support in allowing players to represent the country.”
The AIFF confirmed that 18 players will depart from Kolkata to Dhaka on November 3, while the remaining 10 players will join the team later. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals, which are set for November 14. The first semifinal will begin at 2:30 PM IST, followed by the second semifinal at 8 PM. The final match is scheduled for November 17 at 7:30 PM, with all games taking place at the National Stadium in Dhaka.
India’s squad for the SAFF Championship 2026 includes:
Goalkeepers: Arsh Anwar Sheikh, Mohanraj K, Priyansh Dubey.
Defenders: Abdul Rabih, Bijoy Varghese, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthangmawia Ralte, Khaiminthang Lungdim, Muhammad Uwais, Nathan Rodrigues, Roni Kharbudon, Sandeep Mandi.
Midfielders: Abhishek Suryavanshi, Edison Singh Thokchom, Brison Fernandes, Abindas Yesudasan, Farukh Chaudhary, Makerton Nixon, Manglenthang Kipgen, Nikhil Prabhu, Naufal PN, Ricky John Shabong, Suresh Singh Wangjam.
Forwards: Irfan Yadwad, Liston Colaco, Muhammad Suhail, Vishnu PV, Suhail Ahmed Bhat.