SAFF Championship draw today: What you need to know

The official draw for the TECNO - SAFF Championship 2026 is set to take place today in Thimphu, Bhutan. Here are some of the key points about today's draw:

Draw time: 5:00 pm Bangladesh time.

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Venue: Thimphu, Bhutan.

Host: Bangladesh will stage the tournament from November 4–17, 2026, marking the first time the men's SAFF Championship returns to Bangladesh since 2018.

Current format: The draw will initially include six teams because Nepal remains suspended by FIFA.

Confirmed participating teams: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Maldives, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. 

Nepal's status: SAFF will set a deadline for Nepal's participation. If FIFA lifts the suspension before that deadline, Nepal will join the tournament; otherwise, it will continue with six teams.

If Nepal returns: They will be placed directly into Bangladesh's group, expanding it from three to four teams without major changes to the tournament schedule.

Group format:

With 6 teams: Two groups of three.

With 7 teams (if Nepal joins): Bangladesh's group will have four teams, while the other group will have three.

Bangladesh's history: Bangladesh won their only SAFF Championship title in 2003, defeating Maldives in a penalty shootout in the final in Dhaka.