Sri Lanka has been officially awarded the hosting rights for the prestigious 2025 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship, set to take place in June 2025.
This landmark decision was made by SAFF member nations following a formal request from Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) President Jaswar Umar.
This announcement marks a historic moment for Sri Lankan football, as the country last hosted the SAFF Championship in 2008, co-hosting the event with the Maldives. Now, after a 17-year break, Sri Lanka will once again welcome South Asia’s top footballing nations for the highly anticipated tournament, often referred to as the “World Cup of South Asia.”
Sri Lanka has a proud history in the SAFF Championship, having won the title in 1995 when the tournament was held in Colombo. That victory remains the country’s only SAFF triumph to date. With the 2025 edition being hosted on home soil, Sri Lanka has a golden opportunity to reclaim the championship after 3 decades and reignite national enthusiasm for football.
The 2025 SAFF Championship will feature the following 7 nations:
- Sri Lanka (Host)
- India
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- Maldives
- Nepal
With the advantage of playing on home turf, Sri Lanka’s national team will be looking to make a strong impact in the tournament and compete for the coveted SAFF Championship trophy. The event is expected to boost the country’s footballing profile, inspire young athletes, and provide a significant economic boost through sports tourism.
As preparations begin, football fans across Sri Lanka eagerly anticipate witnessing the region’s best teams compete in what promises to be a thrilling edition of the SAFF Championship.