India Battles Tajikistan in CAFA Nations Cup Opener
India kicks off CAFA Cup against Tajikistan.
India’s football team is set to launch their CAFA Nations Cup 2025 campaign with a thrilling opener against hosts Tajikistan on August 29 in Dushanbe. Drawn in Group B alongside powerhouses Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, the Blue Tigers are gearing up for a challenging tournament, which serves as a crucial preparatory platform for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round. India’s group stage journey continues with matches against Iran on September 1 and Afghanistan on September 4.
The Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup, running from August 31 to September 8, will see the top two teams from each group advance to the play-offs on September 8. Group winners will compete for the title in Tashkent, while runners-up will vie for third place in Dushanbe.
Group A, hosted in Tashkent, includes Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, and invited side Oman. India and Oman are the tournament’s guest teams, with Iran entering as defending champions after defeating Uzbekistan in 2023.
The All India Football Federation expressed optimism about the team’s preparation, emphasizing the tournament’s role in sharpening their competitive edge.
