Defending champions India will begin their SAFF Championship 2026 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Thursday, November 5. The highly anticipated Group B encounter will kick off at 3:00 PM IST.
India will enter the tournament aiming to defend their title and secure a record-extending 10th SAFF Championship crown. However, the Blue Tigers will be without several first-choice players, with head coach Naushad Moosa set to lead a relatively inexperienced squad.
The match will also mark the beginning of India's campaign in a tournament featuring six South Asian nations. Here’s everything you need to know about the India vs Pakistan clash.
India vs Pakistan Free Live Streaming Details
The India vs Pakistan SAFF Championship 2026 match will be available for free online viewing in India.
Match: India vs Pakistan
Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM IST (2:30 PM PKT)
Venue: National Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Live Streaming: VETO app and OTT platform
TV Telecast: No live television broadcast in India
Subscription: Free streaming without a subscription
VETO has secured the digital streaming rights for the tournament, allowing Indian football fans to follow the competition without paying a subscription fee.
India vs Pakistan Predicted Lineups
India will be coached by Naushad Moosa, who has been handed with defending the championship with a young squad. The Blue Tigers' C squad means several inexperienced players could get opportunities to prove themselves on the international stage.
Pakistan, meanwhile, will be managed by former Peruvian international Nolberto Solano. The visitors are also dealing with player availability issues, with several overseas-based players unavailable for the group-stage matches.
India Predicted XI (4-3-3)
Priyansh (GK); Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Bijoy Varghese, Nikhil Prabhu, Muhammed Uvais; Ricky Shabong, Farukh Choudhary, Ebindas Yesudasan; Noufal PN, Muhammad Suhail, Suhail Ahmad Bhat.
Pakistan Predicted XI (5-3-2)
Yousuf Butt (GK); Haris Zeb, Mohibullah Afridi, Abdul Rehman, Waqar Ehtisham Baloch, Ali Khan Niazi; Hayyaan Khattak, Adil Nabi, Alamgir Ghazi; Umar Nawaz, Kaleemullah.
India vs Pakistan Head-to-Head Record
India have historically dominated Pakistan in senior men's international football. The two neighbouring nations have faced each other 29 times, with the Blue Tigers enjoying a significant advantage.
Matches | Record |
Total matches | 29 |
India wins | 16 |
Pakistan wins | 4 |
Draws | 9 |
Their previous meeting came during the 2023 SAFF Championship group stage in Bengaluru, where India registered a commanding 4-0 victory. Sunil Chhetri scored a memorable hat-trick, while Udanta Singh Kumam added another goal.
India, currently ranked 138th in the FIFA rankings, will be favourites against Pakistan, who are placed 197th.
The Blue Tigers will look to continue their dominance and secure a winning start before facing the Maldives in their second and final Group B fixture on November 11.