India will defend their SAFF Championship crown in 2026 with a youthful second-string squad led by India U23 head coach Naushad Moosa, as the senior national team prioritises international friendlies against New Zealand.
India is set to compete at the SAFF Championships 2026, with Dhaka, Bangladesh, serving as host. The tournament will take place from November 5 to 17, 2026, with the AIFF fielding a second-string squad under Naushad Moosa, head coach of the India U23 team.
Bibiano Fernandes will serve as the assistant coach, while Patshuram Salwadi will serve as goalkeeping coach and Saifulla will serve as strength and conditioning coach.
Why is India sending a second-string team to Dhaka for SAFF 2026?
The reason why India has fielded its B-team for SAFF 2026 is that the senior men’s national team is prioritising international friendlies against New Zealand, with AIFF fielding the U23 squad for Dhaka.
India will travel to New Zealand for two high-profile friendlies in Auckland on November 12 and Christchurch on November 15, 2026.
National team manager Khalid Jamil is also with the senior team, which is why Naushad was announced as manager for the 28-member squad at the SAFF 2026 tournament.
India is in Group B alongside Maldives and Pakistan and will kick off its campaign against their arch-rivals on November 5, 2026, and then face Maldives on November 11. Both matches will kick off at 03:00 PM IST.
More from Football NewsHosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan are in Group A. All matches will take place at the National Stadium in Dhaka.
India are the defending champions, having won the final against Kuwait in 2023 to win their ninth title. The Blue Tigers will aim for a record-extending tenth SAFF Championship title.
SAFF Championship 2026: India’s schedule
- India vs Pakistan:ย 3:00 PM IST โ November 3
- India vs Maldives:ย 3:00 PM IST โ November 11
- Semifinals:ย November 14 โ (2:30 PM and 8:00 PM IST)
- Final:ย 7:30 PM IST โ November 17
SAFF Championship 2026: India’s full squad
- Goalkeepers:ย Arsh Anwer Shaikh, Mohanraj K, Priyansh Dubey.
- Defenders:ย Abdul Rabeeh, Bijoy Varghese, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Muhammed Uvais, Nathan Rodrigues, Ronney Kharbudon, Sandip Mandi.
- Midfielders:ย Abhishek Suryavanshi, Adison Singh Thokchom, Brison Fernandes, Ebindas Yesudasan, Farukh Choudhary, Macarton Nickson, Manglenthang Kipgen, Nikhil Prabhu, Noufal PN, Ricky John Shabong, Suresh Singh Wangjam.
- Forwards:ย Irfan Yadwad, Liston Colaco, Muhammad Suhail, Vishnu PV, Suhail Ahmad Bhat.