The 2025 edition of the SAFF Championship, which was set to be held this June, has officially been cancelled and moved to 2026. This major decision comes after a series of challenges, including financial constraints and venue issues, as confirmed by SAFF executive member Ali Omar.
Sri Lanka Was the Preferred Host—But Unprepared
Initially, Sri Lanka was in talks to host the tournament. However, Sports Five—the marketing partner of SAFF—wanted the championship to be held in a home-and-away format. Since Sri Lanka could not meet the requirements for this format, the future of the event became uncertain.
Bangladesh and India Being Considered as Alternatives
According to a report by , Sports Five is now looking into Bangladesh and India as alternative host countries. These nations are seen as more financially viable options because of their better sponsorship opportunities.
Marketing Partner’s Influence Delayed the SAFF Championship
The decision to postpone wasn’t made solely by SAFF. Instead, it was strongly influenced by Sports Five, who are keen on hosting the tournament under a home-and-away system. With that currently unfeasible, organizing the SAFF Championship 2025 edition became too challenging—both financially and logistically.
SAFF Faces Financial Challenges
SAFF has faced difficulties in securing enough funds to organize the tournament independently. As a result, the choice of host country often depends on the interests of its marketing partner, which in this case has led to the postponement.
New Invitational Tournament in the Works
To keep the football spirit alive, SAFF, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the Sri Lanka Football Federation are reportedly planning a new invitational tournament in July 2025. Details about this event will be announced soon.
Stay tuned for more updates as SAFF reshapes its plans for South Asian football’s biggest stage.
