SAFF Championship


The SAFF Championship is the primary football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the South Asian Football Federation, determining the sub-continental champion of the South Asia.

History

Countries that currently compete in the tournaments are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It is held approximately every two years. India won the title 9 times, 7 more than second most successful, Maldives. Afghanistan joined the SAFF in 2005 and left in 2015 to become a founding member of the Central Asian Football Association.
The South Asian Football Federation Championship kicked off in Lahore in 1993, evolving out of its forerunner, the South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation Gold Cup. Since its inception, the biennial competition has developed into South Asia's premier football tournament, promoting the regional development of the game. The SAFF Championship was first postponed from October 2001 to January 2002 due to the suspension of the Bangladesh Football Federation; the tournament finally took place in 2003. The 2021 edition of the tournament was postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organisation

Sports marketing, media, and event management company Sportfive has been involved in the tournament since 2025.

Title sponsorship

Results

Overall records

In this ranking 3 points are awarded for a win, [|1] for a draw and 0 for a loss. Matches decided in extra time are counted as wins and losses, while matches decided by penalty shoot-outs are counted as draws. Teams are ranked by total points, then by goal difference, then by goals scored.
File:Hamid Karimi.jpg|thumb|160px|right|alt=Portrait of Hamidullah Karimi|Afghanistan's Hamid Karimi holding the SAFF trophy after winning the 2013 SAFF Championship
RankTeamPartPldWDLGFGAGDPts
1114623915810838+70132
212502511149852+4686
[|3]13461812165247+566
41446147255168−1749
51341137214865−1746
61239128193251−1944
7727124114842+640
81532092+711
91431071+610
10927112515102−874

1Including India U23 team.
NationChampions
9 4 1
2 3 2 4
1 2 1 1 3
*1 2
1 1 1 3
1 1 2 3
31
1 2 2
1
31

Results by tournament

;Legend
  • ' – Champions
  • ' – Runners-up
  • ' – Third place
  • ' – Fourth place
  • – Semifinals1
  • GS – Group stage
  • DQ – Disqualified/Suspended by FIFA/AFC/SAFF
  • Q – Qualified for upcoming tournament
  • — Hosts
  • × – Did not enter
  • × – Withdrew before tournament begins
  • — Not part of SAFF
1The third-place match was not played in 1995 and has not been played 2003 onwards.

2Including India U23 team.

3Left SAFF and joined CAFA in 2015.

4Invited as a guest team from the WAFF.

Top goalscorers

YearsPlayerGoals
1993

Overall

RankNationPlayerGoals scored
1

Winning coaches

YearTeamCoach
1993fb|SRI