The SAFF Championship is set to kick off at Dhaka’s National Stadium on Thursday, provided everything goes according to plan, with six nations preparing to compete for the regional title.
Hosts Bangladesh will be joined by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Bhutan in the tournament. All six teams have announced their squads ahead of the competition, setting the stage for what promises to be an eagerly anticipated contest in South Asian football.
Bangladesh will be looking to make the most of home advantage, with several familiar names included in the squad. Hamza Dewan Choudhury, Jamal Bhuiyan and Samit Som are among the notable players selected for the hosts. Their presence is expected to strengthen the side as Bangladesh prepare to face some of the region’s established footballing nations.
The other five teams have also named their squads, combining players with domestic experience and those who have featured in different footballing environments. With the participating nations now having finalised their selections, attention will turn to preparations and performances on the pitch.
For Bangladesh, playing in front of home supporters could provide an important boost. However, the presence of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Bhutan means the hosts will face competition from several sides determined to challenge for the trophy.
The six participating teams and their complete squads are listed below.
Bangladesh
Mitul Marma, Sujon Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Shrabon, Tapu Barman, Bishwanath Ghosh, Mohammad Saad Uddin, Rahmat Mia, Zidan Alexander Yusuf, Tariq Raihan Kazi, Zayan Ahmed, Mohammad Taj Uddin, Abdullah Omar Sajib, Mohammad Sohel Rana, Sohel Rana, Mohammad Hridoy, Hamza Dewan Choudhury, Samit Som, Syed Kazem Kermani Shah, Jamal Bhuiyan, Farhan Ali Wahid, Sheikh Morsalin, Rakib Hossain, Faisal Ahmed Fahim, Fahamedul Islam, Mohammad Ibrahim, Suki Itafusa, Minhajul Karim Shadin and Mohammad Mahe Khan.
India
Arsh Anwar Sheikh, Mohanraj K, Priyansh Dubey, Abdul Rabih, Vijay Varghese, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Mingthanmawia Ralte, Khaiminthang Lungdim, Muhammad Uvais, Nathan Rodriguez, Rony Kharbudan, Sandeep Mandi, Abhishek Suryavanshi, Adison Singh Thokchom, Bryson 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 and Suhail Ahmed Bhat.
Pakistan
Saqib Hanif, Hassan Ali, Yousuf Butt, Abdul Rahman, Abdullah Iqbal, Ali Khan Niazi, Isah Sulaiman, Haris Zeb, Hasib Ahmed Khan, Mamoon Musa Khan, Mohibullah Afridi, Waqar Ehtisham Baloch, Junaid Shah, Adil Nabi, Ali Uzair Mahmood, Haiyan Khattak, Tufail Khan Shinwari, Zainul Abideen Ishaq, Muhammad Junaid, Ali Akbar Khan, Syed Ali Raza, Abdul Samad Arshad, Alamgir Ghazi, Kaleemullah, Mikel Abdullah, Najibullah, Shayak Dost and Umar Nawaz.
Sri Lanka
Sujan Perera, Kavish Fernando, Mohammad Mursith, Mohammad Hasmir, Muhammadhu Munsif, Chalana Chamera, Jude Supan, Jason Thayaparan, Jeremy Perera, William Thomason, Anujan Rajendram, Claudio Kamar Khanekht, Bharath Suresh, Steven Sakayaradji, Leon Perera, Adhavan Rajamohan, Garrett Kelly, Nilochan Sethurwasan, Oliver Killert, Dillon De Silva, Samuel Durant, Wasim Rajik, Wade Decker, Rahul Suresh, Muthuchchumaru Remian, Aiman Jawahir, Regiz Canistan and Aman Fizar.
Bhutan
Locho Nima, Tandin Shewang, Phunsho Jigme, Tenzin Norbu, Deichog Drakar Dorji, Jigmen Selto Dorji, Chencho Gyeltshen, Pema Zangpo, Kinzaang Tenzin, Orgen Tshering, Kinga Wangchuk, Kinley Penjor, Jigdel Wangchuk, Dawa Tshering, Nima Wangdi, Sheltrim Namgyel, Jetsun Dorji, Kinzaang Tashi Tobden, Sonam Dorji, Gyeltshen Zangpo, Dendup Namgyel, Jigme Sultrem and Bikash Pradhan.
Maldives
Mohamed Ashwan, Hussain Shareef, Mohamed Shafiu, Samuh Ali, Hassan Inayaz, Hussain Sifau Yoosuf, Ahmed Aiham (Aihu), Amhdhan Ali, Thoif Gasim, Ahmed Maish Rasheed, Ahmed Aiham (Fatho), Ibrahim Waheed Hassan, Ibrahim Aisam, Nisham Mohamed Rasheed, Azham Rasheed, Ethan Ibrahim Zaki, Ali Hamdhan, Ibrahim Mahudhi Hussain, Nasah Ibrahim Nasir, Naiz Hassan, Ali Fasir, Mohamed Naeem, Muzdhan Hassan and Abdullah Luth Ibrahim.
With all six squads now announced, the focus shifts to the opening fixtures and the battle for regional supremacy. Bangladesh will hope to turn home support into a competitive advantage, while the other participating nations will be aiming to make their mark and challenge for the championship title.
