Bangladesh has been drawn with Bhutan and Sri Lanka in Group A of the men’s SAFF Championship.

India, Pakistan and Maldives will compete in Group B.

The tournament is scheduled to run from 4 to 17 November, with Bangladesh as host.

The matches are scheduled to be held in Dhaka.

India enter the competition as defending champions.

Nepal was excluded from the draw because of a FIFA ban.

SAFF said Nepal could be added to the tournament if the ban is lifted by 30 September.

SAFF said a final decision on Nepal’s placement, including a possible move into Group A, has not yet been announced.

The top two teams from each group are set to advance to the semi-finals.

Bangladesh last won the SAFF Championship in 2003.

Bangladesh is hosting the tournament again for the first time since 2018.