Experienced defender Topu Barman described Bangladesh's Group A at the SAFF Championship as a "tight" one, but remains optimistic about the hosts' chances of going all the way in the regional football showpiece on home soil in November.

Hosts Bangladesh have been drawn in Group A alongside Sri Lanka and Bhutan for the 2026 SAFF Championship, while regional powerhouse India headline Group B with the Maldives and Pakistan.

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:

With the SAFF Championship scheduled to start five days before the November FIFA window opens on November 9, Bangladesh could begin the tournament without overseas-based players.

The 15th edition of the SAFF Championship has been postponed to 2026, with the venue and the tournament format yet to be finalised, the federation announced in a press release on Thursday.