Naushad Moosa Names 28-Member India Squad for SAFF Championship 2026

India will begin their title defence at the SAFF Championship 2026 under the leadership of head coach Naushad Moosa, with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announcing a 28-member squad for the tournament scheduled to take place in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from November 5 to 17.

Moosa, who currently serves as the head coach of the India U23 men's team, will lead the senior national side in the regional competition. Bibiano Fernandes, who recently coached the India U15 men's team at the FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival Azerbaijan 2026, has been appointed assistant coach.

The defending champions will be aiming to extend their dominance in the competition and secure a record-extending 10th SAFF Championship title. India won the previous edition in 2023, defeating Kuwait in the final in Bengaluru.

The 28-member selection brings together players across the goalkeeping, defensive, midfield and attacking departments as India prepare for a challenging campaign against regional rivals.

India have been placed in Group B alongside Pakistan and Maldives. The Blue Tigers will open their campaign against Pakistan on November 5, with kick-off scheduled for 3 pm IST. Their second group-stage fixture will be against Maldives on November 11, also at 3 pm IST.

Hosts Bangladesh headline Group A, which also includes Sri Lanka and Bhutan.

The tournament will follow a group-stage format, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the semi-finals. The last-four matches are scheduled for November 14, while the final will take place on November 17.

All matches of the competition will be played at the National Stadium in Dhaka.

For India, the immediate objective will be to secure qualification from Group B and maintain their position as the region's leading side. The opening fixture against Pakistan will be particularly important in setting the tone for the campaign, before the team turns its attention to the encounter against Maldives.

Moosa and Bibiano to lead India's campaign

The appointment of Moosa as head coach places responsibility for the title defence with a coach familiar with India's age-group setup. His experience with the U23 national team will be central to preparing the squad for the tournament.

Bibiano Fernandes will bring his experience from India's youth football programme into the coaching staff. His recent assignment with the U15 team at the FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival Azerbaijan 2026 adds another dimension to the coaching group.

The AIFF has also acknowledged the cooperation extended by clubs in releasing players for national duty. AIFF Deputy Secretary General M. Satyanarayan thanked the clubs for their support, saying their cooperation had allowed players to represent the country at the regional championship. The availability of players from their respective clubs is an important part of the preparation process, particularly with the tournament approaching.

India enter the competition as defending champions, having lifted the trophy in 2023 after overcoming Kuwait in the final. The upcoming edition offers the Blue Tigers an opportunity to strengthen their record in the tournament and add another title to their collection.

With just two group-stage matches, there will be little room for error. India will need to start strongly against Pakistan before facing Maldives in what could prove decisive for their progress to the knockout stage.

The semi-finals on November 14 will bring together the top two sides from each group, with the winners advancing to the final three days later. The tournament also provides Moosa and his coaching staff with an opportunity to assess the squad in a competitive international environment while pursuing the immediate objective of retaining the championship.

India will travel to Dhaka in two groups. Eighteen players are scheduled to depart from Kolkata on November 3, while the remaining 10 will join the squad over the subsequent days.

With the defending champions targeting a 10th title, attention will now shift to the opening match and India's ability to negotiate the group stage successfully.

India's 28-member squad for SAFF Championship 2026

Goalkeepers

• Arsh Anwer Shaikh

• Mohanraj K

• Priyansh Dubey

Defenders

• Abdul Rabeeh

• Bijoy Varghese

• Chinglensana Singh Konsham

• Hmingthanmawia Ralte

• Khaiminthang Lhungdim

• Muhammed Uvais

• Nathan Rodrigues

• Ronney Kharbudon

• Sandip Mandi

Midfielders

• 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

• Irfan Yadwad

• Liston Colaco

• Muhammad Suhail

• Vishnu PV

• Suhail Ahmad Bhat

Coaching staff

• Head coach: Naushad Moosa

• Assistant coach: Bibiano Fernandes

• Goalkeeping coach: Parshuram Salwadi

• Strength and conditioning coach: Saifulla

India's SAFF Championship 2026 schedule

• November 5, 3:00 PM IST: Pakistan vs India

• November 11, 3:00 PM IST: India vs Maldives

• November 14, 2:30 PM and 8:00 PM IST: Semi-finals

• November 17, 7:30 PM IST: Final

Venue: National Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh.