India can seal top spot in Group B of the SAFF Championship 2026 with only a draw when they face Maldives at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday. Kick-off is 3:00 PM IST.
The defending champions began their title defence with a 3-2 win over Pakistan on November 5. Suhail Ahmad Bhat scored twice early on before Pakistan pushed hard late in the game. That result left India with three points and a goal difference of plus one.
Pakistan then beat Maldives 3-0 on Sunday. Najeebullah Bettani scored twice and McKeal Abdullah converted an early penalty, putting Pakistan into the semi-finals. A heavy defeat today could put India’s place at risk.
India are fielding a young squad in Dhaka under India U23 head coach Naushad Moosa, with Bibiano Fernandes as his assistant. Khalid Jamil’s senior team is in New Zealand for two friendlies at the same time.
History is on India’s side. The Blue Tigers have won 13 of their 18 meetings with Maldives and are chasing a record-extending 10th SAFF title. Maldives have won only one of their eight matches in 2026.
The semi-finals are on November 14, and the final is on November 17. The match streams free on the VETO app. There is no TV broadcast in India.
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