New Delhi, Oct. 30 -- The defending champions, India, will compete in the SAFF Championship 2026 with a 28-member squad in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from November 5 to 17.

Naushad Moosa, who is the head coach of the India U23 men's team, will lead the Blue Tigers in the tournament. Bibiano Fernandes, who recently coached the India U15 men's team at the FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival Azerbaijan 2026, will serve as assistant coach, according to a press release from AIFF Media.

India are placed in Group B alongside Maldives and Pakistan. The Blue Tigers will begin their campaign against Pakistan on November 5 at 15:00 IST before taking on Maldives on November 11 at the same time. Hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan are placed in Group A.

While...