SAFF Championship Draw Released; Nepal’s Participation Hinges on Suspension Lift

The draw for the 2026 SAFF Championship football tournament has been announced, but Nepal is currently excluded due to FIFA’s suspension. SAFF has stated that if the suspension is lifted by September 1, Nepal will be placed in Group A. Group A includes hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, while Group B comprises India, Maldives, and Pakistan.

Kathmandu, 16 Shrawan – The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) revealed the draw on Saturday for the upcoming tournament scheduled to be held in Bangladesh from November 4 to 17. Among the seven South Asian nations, only six teams are included in the draw; Nepal remains absent due to the ongoing FIFA suspension.

FIFA, the global governing body of football, has suspended the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), preventing Nepal’s placement in any group so far. However, SAFF has confirmed that if FIFA lifts the suspension before the tournament commences, Nepal will join Group A. For Nepal to participate in the SAFF Championship, the suspension must be lifted before September 1. Should the suspension remain, only six teams will compete in this edition of the championship.

The draw, announced Saturday in Dhaka, placed hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan in Group A, while Group B consists of India, Maldives, and Pakistan. Nepal’s participation remains uncertain amid FIFA’s suspension. In the previous championship held in 2023 in Bangalore, India claimed the title.