Host India has been grouped with Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Afghanistan for the opening stage of the 10th SAFF Championship, scheduled to be held in New Delhi from December 2 to 11, according to information on the draw received here.
India, the defending champion, will begin its campaign in Group A with a game against Afghanistan on December 3. Pakistan, Nepal, Maldives and Bangladesh, meanwhile, make up Group B with Bangladesh and Pakistan scheduled to face each other in the tournament-opener.
All matches will be held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
India last hosted the biennial football tournament in 1999 in Margao, where it won the title.
