In what was expected to be a promising revival for South Asian football, the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) has announced the postponement of the SAFF Championship until 2026.
The unexpected decision has cast a shadow over the aspirations of players and fans alike, as logistical, and commercial complexities have forced a rethink of the tournament's immediate future.
During the last official meeting, SAFF officials exuded confidence, even hinting at a tentative plan to host the championship in June or July of this year, with Sri Lanka floated as the preferred venue. Hopes were high, with expectations soaring for a spectacular return of the much-loved tournament. However, those hopes have now been dashed.
In a statement released on Thursday, SAFF confirmed, "Our member associations and Sports Five (the commercial rights holder) believe that more time is needed to ensure the tournament is organised in a manner befitting its stature.
Therefore, the decision has been made to defer the tournament until 2026. This will allow adequate time to prepare for a grand and successful event."
This news comes as a bitter pill to swallow for footballers like Hamza Choudhury, currently playing in the English league, and Canadian-based Shamit Som, alongside Cuba Mitchell, all of whom were expected to don their national colours in the competition. For now, those dreams lie in tatters.
In an effort to preserve the commercial appeal of the tournament, Sports Five has proposed a new format, hosting matches on a home-and-away basis. Under this model, each participating nation would host three matches on home soil while playing the remaining three away.
The aim is to enhance the tournament's allure and foster greater local engagement.
Additionally, an India vs Pakistan match had been in the pipeline, earmarked for a neutral venue in Dubai, a tantalising prospect that is now on ice.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming on the horizon, finding a suitable window for SAFF has become yet another item on the federation's increasingly complicated to-do list.
