India vs Pakistan

India’s pursuit of another South Asian crown opens with a fixture that immediately raises the stakes. The defending champions face Pakistan in Dhaka, where Naushad Moosa takes charge of the Blue Tigers. With Maldives also in Group B, a strong opening result would give India valuable momentum in a short group campaign. The rivalry supplies the headlines, but the immediate objective is straightforward: collect points and avoid leaving qualification dependent on the final fixture.

What time does the match start?

India meet Pakistan on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. IST, which is 3:30 p.m. in Dhaka. Fans watching from elsewhere can use the time selector below to check the scheduled start in their own time zone.

Source: AIFF match preview and kickoff details.

Where to watch in India

Viewers in India can follow the match through the Veto app. No Indian television broadcast is listed in the available viewing information. Veto’s tournament coverage has been announced as subscription free. Open the app before kickoff and check the match listing so that any login or playback issues can be resolved early.

Viewing details: Indian Express broadcast guide · Veto subscription-free coverage announcement.

Rivalry record and title ambitions

This fixture is set to become the teams’ 30th senior international meeting. India have won 16 of the previous 29 encounters, Pakistan have taken four victories, and nine matches have finished level. That record favours India, although a new tournament brings different personnel and pressures. The Blue Tigers are targeting a tenth SAFF title.

Head-to-head record: AIFF.

Lineups and tournament squads

Confirmed starting elevens were unavailable in the sources checked for this preview. The tournament squads below should therefore be treated as selection pools; inclusion does not guarantee a starting place or availability for this match. Final team sheets will provide the clearest picture of each coach’s choices.

India squad · 28 players

Arsh Anwer Shaikh (GK), Mohanraj K (GK), Priyansh Dubey (GK), Abdul Rabeeh, Bijoy Varghese, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Muhammed Uvais, Nathan Rodrigues, Ronney Kharbudon, Sandip Mandi, 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, Irfan Yadwad, Liston Colaco, Muhammad Suhail, Vishnu PV, Suhail Ahmad Bhat.

Pakistan squad · 28 players

Saqib Hanif, Hassan Ali, Yousuf Butt, Abdul Rehman, Abdullah Iqbal, Ali Khan Niazi, Easah Suliman, Haris Zeb, Haseeb Ahmed Khan, Mamoon Moosa Khan, Mohibullah Afridi, Waqar Ehtisham Baloch, Junaid Shah, Adil Nabi, Ali Uzair Mahmood, Hayyaan Khattak, Tufail Khan Shinwari, Zainul Abideen Ishaque, Muhammad Junaid, Ali Akbar Khan, Syed Ali Raza, Abdul Samad Arshad, Alamgir Ghazi, Kaleemullah, McKeal Abdullah, Najeebullah, Shayak Dost, Umar Nawaz.

Squad references: AIFF India announcement · Pakistan squad report.

Match score and updates

No verified match score was available in the material reviewed. The score panel is therefore marked unconfirmed and does not refresh automatically. For goals, substitutions and the final result, follow a current match tracker or the official broadcast. A scheduled kickoff alone cannot establish whether play has started.

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India’s group schedule

After Pakistan, India face Maldives on November 11 at 3:00 p.m. IST, again in Dhaka. The top two teams in each group advance to the semifinals. The semifinals are scheduled for November 14, followed by the final on November 17, with the entire competition staying in Bangladesh’s capital.

Schedule: AIFF tournament announcement.

Preview information checked on November 5, 2026. Scores and starting XIs require a verified match update.