SAFF Championship 2023: India to open clash against Pakistan in Group A - all you need to know

For the upcoming SAFF Championship 2023 football tournament, the Indian men's football team has been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Kuwait, and Nepal. India will be hosting the upcoming SAFF Championship and the matches are scheduled to be held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.

This year, India will open their account against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 21 and then will play Nepal and Kuwait respectively.

India, which is now ranked 101st in the FIFA rankings, is the defending SAFF champions after they won the competition in 2021 by defeating Nepal 3-0. 

The Blue Tigers have won the championship eight times (1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, and 2021) and have been the most successful team in the regional event.

SAFF Championship 2023: Groups

Group A: India, Kuwait, Nepal, Pakistan

Group B: Lebanon, Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh

This year, there are two new teams playing in the SAFF Championship - Lebanon and Kuwait. Despite not being SAFF nations they will be participating in the eight-team event after receiving a special invitation.

SAFF Championship 2023: Schedule for the Indian football team in IST

June 21, Wednesday: India vs Pakistan - 7:30 PM

June 24, Saturday: India vs Nepal - 7:30 PM

June 27, Tuesday: India vs Kuwait - 7:30 PM

SAFF Championship 2023 Live Telecast and Live Streaming Details:

The SAFF Championship 2023 telecast and live-streaming details are still not announced.