India Faces Tajikistan in CAFA Nations Cup Opener

The Indian men's national football team is set to make its debut in the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup, beginning their campaign against co-hosts Tajikistan on August 29 in Hisor, Tajikistan. Under newly appointed head coach Khalid Jamil, India aims to use the tournament as preparation for the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers, despite missing key players due to club release issues and ISL disruptions. Tajikistan, ranked 106th in FIFA and more experienced in recent tournaments, including reaching the quarter-finals of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, pose a significant challenge to India, ranked 133rd. India is placed in Group B alongside Tajikistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, while the top teams from each group will vie for the title, with the tournament concluding on September 8. Jamil emphasized focusing on India's own game and building a strong unit for the future, acknowledging the challenge posed by Tajikistan's recent progress. The matches will be played in Hisor, with live streaming expected on platforms like the AIFF YouTube page and DD Sports.