Participation of India in SAFF Championship 2026 intact: SAFF amid rumours of withdrawal

India won the last edition of the SAFF Championship, beating Kuwait 5-4 on penalties in the final. | Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar

The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) has clarified that rumours of India pulling out of the SAFF Championship are false and that its participation remains intact in the tournament.

The Blue Tigers, record nine-time champions and the most recent winners, are scheduled to face Pakistan on November 5 and Maldives on November 11 in the group stage of the 2026 SAFF Championship, which Bangladesh will host from November 5 to 17.

“SAFF would like to categorically clarify that these reports are entirely unfounded and inaccurate. We confirm that India’s participation in the tournament remains intact, and no communication regarding any withdrawal has been received by SAFF from the All India Football Federation (AIFF),” the governing body said in a statement on Saturday.

RELATED: India’s participation uncertain amid scheduling, player-release concerns

Six teams are expected to compete for the title, with Nepal, the 2021 runner-up, now disqualified after the All Nepal Football Association was banned.

Reports from Bangladesh on Saturday had earlier claimed that India is set to withdraw from the 2026 SAFF Championship, though sources in the All India Football Federation (AIFF) had clarified to Sportstar that no official withdrawal had actually happened.

“SAFF would also like to reassure its member associations, partners, media representatives, supporters, and all stakeholders that the tournament will be held as planned, with the participation of the six teams previously announced,” SAFF added in its statement.

The FIFA international window runs from November 9 to 17, with India scheduled to play New Zealand twice during that period. With its first SAFF Championship group match falling on November 5, the senior team’s participation in the tournament appears unlikely.