Xtra Time Web Desk: Pakistan football team has been clubbed in the same Group A with hosts India in the upcoming SAFF Championships 2023 in the draw held in New Delhi on Wednesday. Nepal and Kuwait are the other two teams in Group A. The tournament will be staged in Bengaluru from June 21 to July 4. Group B consists of Lebanon, Maldives, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
Lebanon and Kuwait are the special invitees to add more competitive flavour in the tournament. Sri Lanka is not taking part since they are serving a suspension by FIFA, while Afghanistan left SAFF to join the Central Asian Football Federation.
The big question is whether the Pakistan Football Federation will send its team to India after what is happening with Asia Cup 2023 cricket tournament. The Pakistan Cricket Board has threatened to withdraw from Asia Cup if their second hybrid model proposal is not accepted by Asia Cricket Council. PCB has also threatened to not send its cricket team to India.
All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey is hopeful that Pakistan will send its team to India.
“According to the slogan of FIFA it unites world through football. And All India Football Federation is a member association of FIFA. According to FIFA charter we will invite all countries,” said AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey.
Meanwhile Pakistan football team are returning to the SAFF Championships after they failed to field a team in 2021 editions as they were serving a suspension from FIFA. The suspension was lifted last year.
India is the most successful team in SAFF Championships, having won the tournament eight times. Defending champions Maldives has won the title twice while Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka lifted the trophy once each.
SAFF Championship 2023 Draw:
Group A – India, Kuwait, Nepal and Pakistan
Group B – Lebanon, Maldives, Bhutan and Bangladesh