India to Kick Off CAFA Nations Cup Campaign Against Tajikistan in Dushanbe
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India’s men’s football team has been placed in Group B of the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup, alongside host nation Tajikistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. The tournament, co-hosted by Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, runs from 29 August to 8 September 2025.
India opens its campaign on 29 August with the much‑anticipated match against Tajikistan in Dushanbe, where all Group B ties are scheduled to be held. This fixture marks the beginning of what promises to be a competitive round-robin group stage for the Blue Tigers.
Following the opener, India will face Iran—the defending champions from the inaugural 2023 edition—on 1 September, and conclude group play against Afghanistan on 4 September.
This invitation to the CAFA Nations Cup came after Malaysia withdrew from the competition, opening a spot for India to participate as a guest team alongside Oman. CAFA’s six member nations include Afghanistan, Iran, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, with invited guests joining to round out Group A and B teams.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the play‑off stage, with the final scheduled in Tashkent and the third‑place match in Dushanbe on 8 September.
More broadly, this tournament offers India vital competitive exposure ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round, making it an important preparatory event for the national team.
In summary, India’s return to Central Asian football via the CAFA Nations Cup presents a strategic opportunity for the Blue Tigers to test themselves against strong regional competition, build momentum for future qualifiers, and integrate new tactics under forthcoming coaching leadership.
