The 2025 SAFF U-17 Men’s Championship, the 10th edition of the tournament organized by the South Asian Football Federation, will take place from 15 to 27 September 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with all matches hosted at the Racecourse Ground. Seven national teams—India (defending champions), Sri Lanka (hosts), Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, and Maldives—will compete for the title. The group stage draw, held on 20 July 2025 in Dhaka, placed Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal in Group A, while Group B features India, Pakistan, Bhutan, and Maldives. The event promises intense regional rivalry, especially with India and Pakistan facing off in the group stage, and serves as a platform to showcase emerging football talent in South Asia.
Tournament Format
The tournament format explained in a more structured way:
Group Stage
• Group A → 3 teams including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal
• Group B → 4 teams including India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Maldives
• Match System → Single round-robin, each team plays all others in its group once
• Points System → Win = 3 pts, Draw = 1 pt, Loss = 0 pts
• Advancement → Top 2 teams from each group qualify for the semifinals
Knockout Stage
• Semifinals
- Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group B
- Winner Group B vs Runner-up Group A
• Third Place Playoff
- Losing semifinalists compete for 3rd place
• Final
- Winning semifinalists compete for the championship
Match Details
The confirmed match details for the 2025 SAFF U-17 Men’s Championship:
Group Stage Fixtures & Timings
• 15 September 2025: Sri Lanka U-17 vs Nepal U-17 — This marks the tournament opener.
• 16 September 2025:
- India U-17 vs Maldives U-17 at 15:00 IST.
- Bhutan U-17 vs Pakistan U-17.
• 18 September 2025:
- Bangladesh U-17 vs Nepal U-17.
• 19 September 2025:
- Pakistan U-17 vs Maldives U-17 at 11:30 (local time).
- Bhutan U-17 vs India U-17 at 16:00 (local time).
• 21 September 2025:
- Bangladesh U-17 vs Sri Lanka U-17 at 15:30 .
• 22 September 2025:
- India U-17 vs Pakistan U-17 at 15:00 IST — a high-stakes regional clash.
- Bhutan U-17 vs Maldives U-17 at 15:30.
Knockout Stage
• Semifinals: Scheduled for 25 September 2025.
• Final: Set to be held on 27 September 2025.
Key Points of SAFF U-17 Men’s Championship 2025
The key points of the 2025 SAFF U-17 Men’s Championship:
• 10th Edition of the tournament, organized by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF).
• Dates: 15 to 27 September 2025.
• Host Nation: Sri Lanka, with all matches at the Racecourse Ground, Colombo.
• Teams: 7 national sides — India (defending champions), Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Maldives.
• Format: Two groups (A with 3 teams, B with 4 teams) → Top 2 from each group qualify for semifinals → Final.
• Group A: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal.
• Group B: India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Maldives.
• Big Match: India vs Pakistan scheduled for 22 September 2025.
• Semifinals: 25 September 2025.
• Final: 27 September 2025.
• Significance: Key platform for nurturing youth talent, preparing for AFC U-17 Asian Cup and future FIFA U-17 World Cup opportunities.
Importance of 2025 SAFF U-17 Men’s Championship
The 2025 SAFF U-17 Men’s Championship holds significant importance for South Asian football on several levels:
1. Development of Young Talent
This tournament is the first major international stage for many players under 17, giving them vital exposure to competitive football. It acts as a talent pipeline for U-20, U-23, and eventually senior national teams, helping shape the future of South Asian football.
2. Regional Football Growth
By bringing together seven South Asian nations, the competition strengthens regional unity and rivalry. It provides smaller nations like Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka with valuable opportunities to face stronger teams such as India and Bangladesh, raising the overall standard of football in the region.
3. Preparation for Bigger Tournaments
Performances here often serve as qualification and preparation for larger competitions such as the AFC U-17 Asian Cup and eventually the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Strong showings can help nations secure continental recognition and better seeding in Asian competitions.
4. India vs Pakistan Factor
With India and Pakistan drawn in the same group, the tournament gains extra significance and global attention, as their rivalry adds intensity, pressure, and heightened interest from fans and media.
5. Promoting Football in Sri Lanka
As the host nation, Sri Lanka benefits greatly—gaining international spotlight, improving football infrastructure, and inspiring young athletes to take up the sport. It’s also a chance to boost tourism and sports culture in Colombo.
6. Future Careers
Scouts from clubs and academies often monitor these youth tournaments. Outstanding performances can open pathways for players to join professional clubs in India, Bangladesh, or even leagues abroad.
Conclusion
The 2025 SAFF U-17 Men’s Championship stands as a vital tournament for shaping the future of football in South Asia, offering young players an international platform to showcase their skills while preparing them for higher levels of competition. With its blend of fierce rivalries, developmental opportunities, and regional unity, the championship not only crowns the best U-17 side in South Asia but also lays the foundation for the region’s footballing progress in years to come.
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