India to Compete in CAFA Nations Cup 2025 Ahead of AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers

As part of their preparation to the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round, the Indian senior men’s national football team will participate in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, a prestigious regional tournament hosted by Uzbekistan and Tajikistan from August 31 to September 8.

India have been drawn in Group B, which will be hosted in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. The Blue Tigers will face strong opposition in the form of hosts Tajikistan (August 29), defending champions IR Iran (September 1), and Afghanistan (September 4).

The tournament format includes two groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group will advance to the playoff stage. On September 8, the third-place match between the group runners-up will take place in Dushanbe, while the final between the group winners will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

India’s participation in this biennial tournament marks an important step in their preparation and provides them valuable international exposure against physically and technically superior Central Asian sides. IR Iran, the defending champions, clinched the inaugural title in 2023 by defeating Uzbekistan 1–0 in the final.

Group A of the tournament features hosts Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, and Oman, and will be played in Tashkent. India and Oman are the only two non-member invitees participating in this second edition.

With a challenging group and little margin for error, Igor Štimac’s men will be tested on all fronts. A strong showing in CAFA 2025 could serve as a timely confidence boost before heading into the Asian Cup qualifiers.

📅 India’s Schedule – Group B, Dushanbe:

• August 29: Tajikistan vs India

• September 1: India vs IR Iran

• September 4: Afghanistan vs India