In preparation for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round, the India senior men’s national football team will participate in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, scheduled from August 31 to September 8, 2025.
India have been placed in Group B of the biennial tournament, which is jointly hosted by Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Group B matches will take place in Dushanbe, where India will face Tajikistan (August 29), defending champions IR Iran (September 1), and Afghanistan (September 4).
The top two teams from each group will progress to the play-off stage on September 8. The third-place match will be held in Dushanbe between the group runners-up, while the final between the two group winners will be played in Tashkent.
This will be India’s first appearance in the CAFA Nations Cup, as they are one of two invited teams in the second edition of the tournament, alongside Oman. CAFA’s six core member nations include Afghanistan, IR Iran, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
CAFA Nations Cup 2025 Draw:
Group A (Tashkent): Uzbekistan (H), Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Oman
Group B (Dushanbe): Tajikistan (H), IR Iran, Afghanistan, India
India’s Fixtures – CAFA Nations Cup 2025:
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August 29: Tajikistan vs India
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September 1: India vs IR Iran
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September 4: Afghanistan vs India
Ahead of the crucial international assignment, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is preparing to announce a new head coach for the senior national team, following the departure of Manolo Marquez. Among the shortlisted candidates are: Khalid Jamil (first Indian coach to lead an ISL team to the playoffs), Stephen Constantine (former India head coach with two stints) & Stefan Tarkovic (former Slovakia national team coach)
The final appointment is expected to be confirmed well before the start of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, to allow the new head coach adequate preparation time with the squad.
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