The Indian national football team is set to participate in the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup 2025. The tournament is scheduled to be held from August 29 to September 8. It will serve as part of their preparation for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, as the Blue Tigers resume their qualification campaign in October.

After collecting just one point from their opening two games, India are in a precarious position at the bottom of their AFC Asian Cup qualifying group. With only the group winners having a chance to secure a spot in the continental showpiece, every upcoming fixture becomes a do-or-die encounter.

The CAFA Nations Cup presents India with a timely opportunity to regain momentum and build confidence ahead of their crucial back-to-back fixtures in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against Singapore in October, first away from home on October 9, followed by the home fixture on October 14.

Uzbekistan and Tajikistan will jointly host the 2025 edition of the CAFA Nations Cup. India have been drawn into Group B, based in Dushanbe, where they will face hosts Tajikistan, defending champions IR Iran, and Afghanistan.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the play-offs, scheduled for September 8. The two group runners-up will face off in the third-place match in Dushanbe, while the group winners will clash in the final in Tashkent.

Group A features Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, and the invited side, Oman. Alongside Oman, India are the second invited team in the eight-nation tournament. The remaining six teams are members of CAFA. IR Iran are the reigning champion, having defeated Uzbekistan 1-0 in the 2023 final.

CAFA Nations Cup 2025 Draw

Group A: Uzbekistan (H), Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Oman
Group B: Tajikistan (H), IR Iran, Afghanistan, India

India’s Fixtures

  • August 29: Tajikistan vs India
  • September 1: India vs IR Iran
  • September 4: Afghanistan vs India

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2024-2025