India enters their final Group B fixture of the 2026 SAFF Championship against Maldives with a clear objective: avoid defeat to secure a place in the tournament semi-finals. Having already registered a 3-2 victory over Pakistan in their opening match, the side is well-positioned to progress from the group stage.
The opening win was highlighted by a clinical first-half brace from Suhail Ahmad Bhat, which proved decisive in overcoming their rivals at the National Stadium in Dhaka. Currently, India holds a goal difference of +1, providing them with a comfortable buffer heading into the concluding group encounter.
Qualification Scenarios and Team Context
The qualification math is straightforward for the nine-time champions. Even a narrow 0-1 defeat against Maldives would likely be sufficient to see them through, given that their opponents currently sit on a goal difference of -3. However, the squad will be focused on avoiding a heavy loss to ensure their progression remains firmly in their own hands.
This tournament campaign features a second-string Indian squad, as the primary national team is currently preparing for two away international friendly matches against New Zealand scheduled for later this week. In the absence of the senior setup, the team in Dhaka is operating under the guidance of Under-23 coach
Match Details and Broadcast Information
The clash between India and Maldives is set for Wednesday, November 11, at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The match is scheduled to kick off at 3 PM IST.
For fans looking to follow the action, there will be no live television broadcast of the fixture in India. Instead, the match will be available exclusively via live streaming on the Veto app, according to information provided by the broadcaster.
