Bangladesh Emerges as Frontrunner to Host SAFF 2026; Will India Participate?

After an eight-year hiatus, the SAFF Championship, South Asia's premier football tournament, is likely to return to Bangladesh. Currently, Bangladesh is the leading candidate to host the 2026 edition. If conditions remain favorable, Dhaka is expected to be the primary venue for this prestigious competition.

Bangladesh last hosted the SAFF Championship in 2018. In recent years, a resurgence in the country’s football scene has led the SAFF authorities to consider Dhaka a key strategic location for their future plans. While a final announcement is still pending, the decision awaits formal approval from the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and the SAFF Executive Committee.

Following the postponement of the tournament last year, SAFF is targeting the September-October international window for the 2026 edition.

One of the primary factors favoring Bangladesh is the renewed popularity of football in the country. The national team’s recent performances have reignited public interest. Furthermore, the potential inclusion of Hamza Choudhury, the Leicester City midfielder, and Shamit Shome, a former Canadian national team player, has created massive excitement, drawing fans back to the stadiums.

SAFF General Secretary Anwarul Huq (Anwar) [referenced as Purushottam Kattel in some contexts] noted that the growing enthusiasm for football in Bangladesh has strengthened its hosting bid. He mentioned that discussions are ongoing with the BFF and commercial partners to review logistics and marketing plans, with a long-term goal of strengthening regional ties through football.