Kolkata, March 25: India’s U20 men’s team is all set to begin their journey in the SAFF U20 Championship 2026 with a clash against Pakistan on tomorrow, under the guidence of Mahesh Gawali. The match will be played at the National Stadium in Male and will kick off at 4:15 PM.
India come into the tournament with strong confidence. They have won the title four times before in 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2025. This history makes them one of the favourites, but it also brings pressure to perform.
With only a few matches in the group stage, every game is very important, for the championship. Blue Colts are placed in Group B along with Pakistan and Bangladesh, making it a tight three-team group, and demanding intense battles.
The Blue Colts, reached Male earlier this week and have already started preparing. Since there are only two group matches, even one win can be enough to reach the semi-finals, so there is very little room for mistakes.
After defeated against Bangladesh in the first match, the upcoming match is must win for Pakistan against India to stay in the tournament, which will make the game even more competitive.
Group B Fixtures (India):
March 26, 2026
India vs Pakistan, 4:15 PM
March 28, 2026
Bangladesh vs India, 4:15 PM
Knockout Stage:
Semi-finals – April 1, 2026
Group A Winners vs Group B Runners-up — 4:15 PM
Group B Winners vs Group A Runners-up — 9:00 PM
Final – April 3, 2026
Kick off 8:30
23-member squad of Blue Colts for SAFF U20 Championship Maldives 2026:
Goalkeepers: Alsabith ST, Pranav Sundarraman, Suraj Singh Aheibam.
Defenders: Bungson Singh Takhellambam, Jodric Abranches, Karish Soram, Malemngamba Singh Thokchom, Mohammed Kaif, Roshan Singh Thangjam, Usham Singh Thoungamba, Yaipharemba Chingakham.
Midfielders: Aniket Yadav, Danny Meitei Laishram, Gurnaj Singh Grewal, Md Arbash, Rishikanta Meitei Laishram, Rishi Singh Ningthoukhongjam.
Forwards: Omang Dodum, Prashan Jajo, Rohen Singh Chaphamayum, Vishal Yadav, Samson Ahongshangbam, Tanbir Dey.
India U20 matches will be live on Sportzworkz YouTube Channel.
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