Ending all speculation, the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) has officially announced the dates and venue for the region’s premier football tournament, the 2026 SAFF Championship. The prestigious event will take place in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, from November 4 to 17.
The announcement was confirmed via an official press release on the SAFF website on Tuesday (July 21).
According to SAFF, all matches for the 2026 edition will be held in Dhaka. The governing body expects full participation from all member nations across South Asia.
Key milestone dates leading up to the tournament have also been finalized. The official logo for the 2026 edition will be unveiled in Dhaka on August 5, followed by the official group stage draw in Thimphu, Bhutan, on September 1.
SAFF General Secretary Purushottam Kattel stated:
“Coming right after the World Cup, this announcement will surely spark added excitement among football lovers in South Asia. Football’s popularity and fanbase in Bangladesh are growing rapidly. Therefore, as hosts, we are confident that Bangladesh will organize a highly successful and memorable tournament.”
He added that further updates regarding match venues, ticketing, and promotional campaigns will be rolled out over the coming months.
This marks the 15th edition of the SAFF Championship. Bangladesh last hosted the tournament individually back in 2018; returning to host after eight years has sent a wave of enthusiasm through local football fans.
