Sri Lanka aim to challenge India’s dominance

 

The 15th edition of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship is scheduled to kick off today at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with the opening encounter between defending champions India and Pakistan attracting considerable attention.

Breaking India’s dominance will be a major ambition for Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives in the tournament.

Sri Lanka have attracted increased attention following their performances during the 2025/26 international football season. The inclusion of more than 10 talented players of Sri Lankan origin based overseas in the national squad has also raised expectations among local and overseas supporters.

With a promising group of emerging players in the squad, Sri Lanka will be hoping to make a strong impression and challenge the region’s established football nations.

The tournament, which runs until November 17, will feature six teams following Nepal’s exclusion due to its FIFA suspension. Sri Lanka, hosts Bangladesh and Bhutan will compete in Group A, while defending champions India, Pakistan and Maldives have been drawn in Group B.

Sri Lanka will begin their campaign against Bhutan on November 8 before facing hosts Bangladesh on November 11 in their remaining group stage fixture.

India enter the competition as the most successful nation in SAFF Championship history, having won the title nine times. Their previous triumphs came in 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2021 and 2023.

Maldives have won the championship twice, in 2008 and 2018, while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have each secured the title once. Sri Lanka’s only triumph came in the 1995 SAF Gold Cup held in Colombo. Pakistan have yet to win the competition.

Match Schedule

November 5:

India vs Pakistan – 3.00 pm

Bangladesh vs Bhutan – 7.30 pm

November 8:

Maldives vs Pakistan – 3.00 pm

Sri Lanka vs Bhutan – 7.30 pm

November 11:

India vs Maldives – 3.00 pm

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh – 7.30 pm

November 14: Semi-finals

November 17: Final