Asian Champions Trophy 2026 schedule announced; Pakistan not part of it

The Indian men’s team celebrates with the Asian Champions Trophy title won in 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI

India will begin its Asian Champions Trophy title defence from October 27 in Jalandhar against Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has been roped in as a replacement for Pakistan, which was slated to participate in the tournament.

Only last month, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwat Mann said Pakistan will be among the six countries that will take part in the Champions Trophy.

The central sports policy with regards to Pakistan bars any bilateral engagement with the country against which India launched a brief military offensive just last year after the Pahalgam terror attack killed 26 people.

However, adhering to the Olympic Charter, the Sports Ministry has stated that the two countries can compete against each other in multi-lateral events and India would not stop athletes from across the border to play here for such engagements.

India enters the competition as defending champions, having won the title in 2023 (Chennai) and 2024 (Hulunbuir, China). It also retained its Asian Games gold in Japan earlier this month.

Asian Champions Trophy 2026 schedule

1) Oct. 27 - Malaysia vs China - 1 pm - Jalandhar

2) Oct. 27 - Japan vs Korea - 3.15 pm - Jalandhar

3) Oct. 27 - India vs Bangladesh - 7 pm - Jalandhar

4) Oct. 29 - Malaysia vs Korea - 2.30 pm - Jalandhar

5) Oct. 29 - Bangladesh vs Japan - 4.45 pm - Jalandhar

6) Oct. 29 - India vs China - 7 pm - Jalandhar

7) Oct. 30 - Bangladesh vs Malaysia - 2.30 pm - Jalandhar

8) Oct. 30 - Korea vs China - 4.45 pm - Jalandhar

9) Oct. 30 - Japan vs India - 7 pm - Jalandhar

10) Nov. 1 - Korea vs Bangladesh - 2.30 pm - Jalandhar

11) Nov. 1 - China vs Japan - 4.45 pm - Jalandhar

12) Nov. 1 - Malaysia vs India - 7 pm - Jalandhar

13) Nov. 2 - China vs Bangladesh - 2.30 pm - Jalandhar

14) Nov. 2 - Japan vs Malaysia - 4.45 pm - Jalandhar

15) Nov. 2 - India vs Korea - 7 pm - Jalandhar

16) Nov. 4 - 5th in Pool vs 6th in Pool (5th/6th Place) - 2 pm - Mohali

17) Nov. 4 - 1st in Pool vs 4th in Pool (Semi-Final 1) - 4.30 pm - Mohali

18) Nov. 4 - 2nd in Pool vs 3rd in Pool (Semi-Final 2) - 7 pm - Mohali

19) Nov. 5 - Loser Match 17 vs Loser Match 18 (Bronze Medal Match) - 4.30 pm - Mohali

20) Nov. 5 - Winner Match 17 vs Winner Match 18 (Gold Medal Match) - 7 pm - Mohali