The Indian football team is fully prepared for a new challenge. The team will participate in the CAFA Nations Cup football tournament starting August 29th, which is being held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Sports News: The Indian football team is now ready for a new challenge. The team has departed for Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, to participate in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025. India will play its first match in this regional football tournament against the host Tajikistan on August 29th. This tournament is not only a competitive platform for India but also an important part of the preparation for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.
Group B to Feature India, Iran, and Afghanistan
In the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, India has been placed in Group B. In this group, India will face b teams like Tajikistan (host), Iran, and Afghanistan.
- August 29: India vs. Tajikistan
- September 1: India vs. Iran
- September 4: India vs. Afghanistan
The results of these three matches will determine India's path to the final or the third-place playoff.
A Total of Eight Teams to Participate, Tournament Divided into Two Groups
CAFA (Central Asian Football Association) has invited 8 teams to the tournament this time, which have been divided into two groups:
Group A (Tashkent, Uzbekistan)
- Uzbekistan (Host)
- Kyrgyz Republic
- Turkmenistan
- Oman (Guest Team)
Group B (Dushanbe, Tajikistan)
- Tajikistan (Host)
- Iran (Defending Champion)
- Afghanistan
- India (Guest Team)
The teams that top each group will reach the final, which will be played in Tashkent. Meanwhile, the teams in second place will compete for third place, which will be held in Dushanbe.
Iran, considered one of the most powerful football teams in Asia, is the defending champion of this tournament. They won the title by defeating Uzbekistan 1-0 in the 2023 final. India is participating in this Central Asian tournament for the first time and it is considered an important platform for preparing for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers 2027.
