The SAFF Championship 2023 will start on Wednesday, June 21, and conclude on Tuesday, July 4 in Bengaluru, India.
Organised by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF), the SAFF Championship 2023 will see eight teams compete for the coveted title.
As per the format, eight teams have been divided into two groups of four teams each. Hosts India, Pakistan, Kuwait and Nepal are clubbed in Group A, while Lebanon, Bangladesh, Maldives and Bhutan are placed in Group B.
The top two teams in each group will qualify for the knockouts. The knockouts include two semifinals and the final.
The winner of Group A will square off against runner-up of Group B in first semi-final, while winner of Group B will lock horns with runner-up of Group A in the other last four encounter. The winners of two semi-finals will later clash in the SAFF Championship 2023 final on July 4.
All matches of the 14th edition of SAFF Championship will be played at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
Previously known as South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation Gold Cup and South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup, the first edition of the tournament was held in Lahore, Pakistan.
India won the inaugural edition of SAFF Championship in 1993. The Blue Tigers also won the previous edition of the competition after defeating Nepal 3-0 in the 2021 final.
The Indian football team is the most successful team in the SAFF Championship. They have won the title eight times - 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015 and 2021.
Where to watch the SAFF Championship 2023 LIVE in India?
LIVE streaming of the SAFF Championship 2023 will be available on the FanCode app and website.
The SAFF Championship 2023 will be telecast LIVE on DD Sports in India.
SAFF Championship 2023 schedule and LIVE India match times
All match times are in India Standard Time (IST)
Wednesday, June 21
Kuwait vs Nepal - 3:30 PM
India vs Pakistan - 7:30 PM
Thursday, June 22
Lebanon vs Bangladesh - 3:30 PM
Maldives vs Bhutan - 7:30 PM
Saturday, June 24
Pakistan vs Kuwait - 3:30 PM
Nepal vs India - 7:30 PM
Sunday, June 25
Bangladesh vs Maldives - 3:30 PM
Bhutan vs Lebanon - 7:30 PM
Tuesday, June 27
Nepal vs Pakistan - 3:30 PM
India vs Kuwait - 7:30 PM
Wednesday, June 28
Lebanon vs Maldives - 3:30 PM
Bhutan vs Bangladesh - 7:30 PM
Saturday, July 1
Semi-final 1 - 3:30 PM
Semi-final 2 - 7:30 PM
Tuesday, July 4
SAFF Championship 2023 final - 7:30 PM
Photo credit: Alamy
