India have been clubbed with Tajikistan, Iran and Afghanistan in Group B of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, with their campaign kicking off against hosts Tajikistan on August 29 in Dushanbe.
The Central Asian regional tournament, scheduled to conclude on September 8, will serve as preparation for India ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round. India's next two group matches will be against Iran on September 1 and against Afghanistan on September 4.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the play-offs on September 8. Group winners will clash in the final in Tashkent, while runners-up will vie for the third place in Dushanbe.
Group A matches, which will be played in Tashkent, feature hosts Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan and Oman, playing on invitation.
India and Oman are the two guest teams in the eight-nation event. Iran are the defending champions, having beaten Uzbekistan 1-0 in the 2023 final. Incidentally, this tournament will also be the new football head coach’s first assignment with the national team. Either Khalid Jamil or Stephen Constantine’s name will be announced by the AIFF for the top role on Friday.
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: Aug 29: vs Tajikistan; Sep 1: vs IR Iran; Sep 4: vs Afghanistan.
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