- Team India who travelled to Dhaka to defend their title, were left without accommodation initially.
- The situation remained unresolved until at least 5 PM IST.
- India will be led by U-23 head coach Naushad Moosa.
The Indian men's football team have finally secured hotel accommodation in Dhaka ahead of their SAFF Championship 2026 campaign, following an embarrassing logistical setback upon their arrival in Bangladesh on Tuesday, November 3.
The Blue Tigers, who travelled to Dhaka to defend their title, were left without accommodation after reaching their designated hotel on Gulshan Avenue. Despite arriving in the Bangladeshi capital at around 2:15 PM IST, the players discovered that no rooms had been booked for the Indian contingent.
The situation remained unresolved until at least 5 PM IST, leaving the players and support staff waiting while alternative arrangements were being explored. The accommodation issue has since been addressed, allowing the Indian contingent to settle down ahead of their opening fixture.
The incident has certainly raised questions over the tournament's organisational arrangements, with concerns already emerging about coordination between the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) and the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).
According to reports, the tournament has faced several logistical challenges, including uncertainty surrounding team arrivals, accommodation arrangements and media coordination.
India Face Pakistan In SAFF Championship 2026 Opener
India, who will begin their title defence against arch-rivals Pakistan on November 5 at the National Stadium in Dhaka. The match is scheduled to kick off at 3 PM IST.
India will be led by U-23 head coach Naushad Moosa, with Bibiano Fernandes serving as his assistant. The defending champions have opted to field a second-string squad, while the senior national team prepares for international friendlies against New Zealand.
India have been placed in Group B alongside Pakistan and Maldives. They will face Maldives on November 11 in their second group-stage fixture.
The Blue Tigers are chasing a record-extending 10th SAFF Championship title after winning the previous edition in 2023, defeating Kuwait in the final in Bengaluru.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals on November 14, while the final is scheduled for November 17.
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🤯 SHOCKING Treatment by hosts Bangladesh towards India! The #IndianFootball Team were left stranded without hotel rooms to stay after landing in Dhaka today for our SAFF Championship 2026 opener against Pakistan on Thursday 🇵🇰 Simply unacceptable. https://t.co/i1WKhBt31k
— Indian Football Updates (@IndianFootyBest) November 3, 2026
India's 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.
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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.
Head coach: Naushad Moosa
Assistant coach: Bibiano Fernandes
Goalkeeping coach: Parshuram Salwadi
Strength and conditioning coach: Saifulla