Sri Lanka has won hosting rights for the forthcoming 2025 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship also referred to as the ‘World Cup of South Asia’, sources from the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) said.

The tournament is set to kick off in June with the participation of seven nations including India (reigning champions), Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. 

The decision to grant hosting rights to the island-nation had been made following a formal request from FFSL representatives.

Sri Lanka last hosted the SAFF Championship in 2008, co-hosting the event alongside the Maldives. 

Sri Lanka’s football history includes a memorable triumph in the 1995 SAFF Championship, which was also held in Colombo.

That victory remains the country’s only SAFF title to date. Hosting the tournament in 2025 gives Sri Lanka a golden opportunity reignite national pride in football.