Maldives National Football Team to Depart for Indonesia Training Camp Ahead of SAFF Championship 2026

The Maldives national football team is set to travel to Indonesia tomorrow morning for a training camp as part of their preparations for the upcoming SAFF Championship 2026. The camp will be followed by a return to the Maldives on November 2, after which the team will depart for Bangladesh, the host nation of the tournament. The SAFF Championship 2026 will be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from November 5 to 17. This marks the 15th edition of the South Asian football tournament and the fourth time Bangladesh has hosted the event. Maldives has been drawn into Group B alongside strong contenders India and Pakistan. The team's first match is scheduled for November 8 against Pakistan, followed by a clash with India on November 11. Group A consists of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. The tournament was originally scheduled for September and October but was postponed to November. The semi-finals will take place on November 14, and the final is set for November 17. Maldives has a strong history in the competition, having won the title twice—in 2008 and 2018. The 2018 victory came after defeating India in the final. The most recent edition in 2023 was won by India, who are the most successful team in the tournament's history with nine titles.