Bangladesh will take on India in the final of the 2026 SAFF U-20 Championship at the National Football Stadium in Male today, hoping to secure a maiden win over their neighbours in the final of the tournament at any level. The match will kick off at 9:00 pm.

Like their senior team, Bangladesh’s age-level sides have never beaten India in a SAFF Championship final. The national team lost both their finals against India -- in 1999 and 2005 -- while the age-level teams suffered defeats in 2019 (U-18), 2022 (U-20), and 2025 (U-19).

However, Bangladesh held India to a 1-1 draw earlier in the group stage of this edition.

Both teams began their campaigns with wins over Pakistan -- Bangladesh winning 2-0 and India registering a 3-0 victory.

Bangladesh edged past Nepal 1-0 in the semifinal, while India thrashed Bhutan 5-0 to storm into the final.

Defending champions India have won the tournament a record four times.

Bangladesh’s only title came in 2024.

We always like to play against India and want to bring the trophy home by beating them. So, that historic moment is upon us, with the final taking place tomorrow [today].

Bangladesh U-20 captain Mithu Chowdhury