The 2025 CAFA Nations Cup, the second edition of the Central Asian Football Association’s biennial tournament, will be held from 29 August to 8 September 2025, co-hosted by Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to mark CAFA’s 10th anniversary. Eight teams will participate: six CAFA members—Afghanistan, Iran, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—along with invited sides Oman and India, the latter replacing Malaysia after their withdrawal in July. Group A, based in Tashkent, features Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Oman, while Group B, hosted in Dushanbe, includes Tajikistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and India. The top two teams from each group will advance to the play-offs, with the third-place match in Dushanbe and the final in Tashkent, both scheduled for 8 September 2025.
CAFA National Cup Match Details
A detailed breakdown of all confirmed matches for the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup, based on official sources:
Group Stage Matches
Group A (Host: Uzbekistan, venues in Uzbekistan)
• Uzbekistan vs Kyrgyzstan
• Uzbekistan vs Turkmenistan
• Uzbekistan vs Oman
• Kyrgyzstan vs Turkmenistan
• Kyrgyzstan vs Oman
• Turkmenistan vs Oman
Group B (Host: Tajikistan – Dushanbe)
• 29 August 2025 – Tajikistan vs India
• 29 August 2025 – Iran vs Afghanistan
• 1 September 2025 – India vs Iran
• 4 September 2025 – Afghanistan vs India
Knockout Stage (Play-offs)
• 8 September 2025
Third-place match: between Group A runner-up and Group B runner-up, in Dushanbe
Final: between Group A winner and Group B winner, in Tashkent
Venue Details for 2025 CAFA Nations Cup
The key stadiums hosting the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup,the venues in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
1. Hisor Central Stadium – Hisor, Tajikistan
• Hosts all Group B matches and the third-place playoff.
• Seating capacity: 20,000 spectators.
• Opened in 2015, with its first major international event being the 2017 CAFA U-15 Girls Championship, among other significant matches.
2. Milliy Stadium (formerly Bunyodkor Stadium) – Tashkent, Uzbekistan
• One of two venues for Group A matches and likely to host the final.
• Capacity: approximately 34,000.
• Opened in 2012, featuring modern infrastructure and facilities, including VIP/CIP lodges, a museum, and more.
3. Pakhtakor Central Stadium – Tashkent, Uzbekistan
• Also used for Group A matches.
• Capacity: approximately 35,000.
• A historic venue dating back to 1956, renovated multiple times to modern standards.
Importance of CAFA Nations Cup 2025
The 2025 CAFA Nations Cup carries importance on several levels—sporting, regional, and symbolic:
1. Regional Football Development
- It’s the only regular men’s senior tournament bringing together all Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) members—Afghanistan, Iran, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—plus invited teams.
- Provides competitive match experience between Asian Cup cycles, helping smaller nations like Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan face higher-ranked opponents.
2. Preparation for Bigger Tournaments
- The timing (just before late 2025 World Cup qualifiers and Asian Cup qualifiers) means teams can test squads, tactics, and player combinations in a competitive environment.
- For teams like India and Oman, it’s also a chance to adapt to Central Asian conditions ahead of future AFC competitions.
3. Regional Diplomacy and Unity
- Football here is not just sport—it’s a rare avenue for cooperation across politically diverse nations in Central and South Asia.
- Co-hosting by Uzbekistan and Tajikistan showcases regional collaboration and strengthens CAFA’s role in Asian football governance.
4. Milestone Event – CAFA’s 10th Anniversary
- 2025 marks 10 years since CAFA’s founding (2015). Hosting the tournament jointly is both a celebration and a statement about its growth.
5. Exposure & Ranking Impact
- FIFA-recognized matches mean FIFA ranking points are at stake, which can directly influence seeding in future AFC and FIFA tournaments.
- For emerging football markets like India in Central Asian competition, it’s a platform to prove they can challenge West and Central Asian powers.
Conclusion
The 2025 CAFA Nations Cup is more than just a regional football tournament—it’s a celebration of CAFA’s 10-year journey, a platform for Central and South Asian nations to strengthen competitive football, and a stepping stone toward larger continental and global stages. By bringing together diverse teams in a spirit of sport and cooperation, it not only sharpens players’ skills and boosts FIFA rankings but also reinforces the region’s unity and growing influence within Asian football.
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