Pakistan to Face India in Group Stage as SAFF U-17 Championship 2025 Schedule Confirmed

The schedule of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-17 Championship 2025 has been officially unveiled, with Pakistan’s U-17 football team drawn into a challenging Group B alongside defending champions India, the Maldives, and Bhutan.

The regional youth tournament is set to run from September 15 to 27, with all matches being played at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Pakistan’s campaign kicks off against Bhutan in what will be a crucial opening test. The Green Shirts will then face the Maldives before squaring off against arch-rivals India, a fixture that always garners attention regardless of age category.

Pakistan’s SAFF U-17 Championship Schedule:

This year’s edition features seven teams split into two groups:

Group A: Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
Group B: India, Pakistan, Maldives, Bhutan

For Pakistan, the tournament offers a crucial opportunity to measure progress in youth development after years of neglect. The team’s performance will be closely watched as part of Pakistan’s broader football resurgence following recent improvements under the new PFF body.

While India enters as the favourites in Group B, Pakistan will be hopeful of making it through to the knockout rounds, especially with a win in their opening two matches. Their clash with India on September 22 (if it goes ahead) could prove decisive, not just for semi-final qualification, but also for regional bragging rights.

This year’s SAFF U-17 Championship promises intense action, and for Pakistan, it’s more than just a tournament, it’s a chance to make a statement on a major platform.