India Joins Central Asia’s Football Festival: CAFA Nations Cup 2025 Preview

The 2025 CAFA Nations Cup is the second edition of Central Asia’s biennial men’s football championship organized by the Central Asian Football Association, which is scheduled from 29 August to 8 September 2025, jointly hosted by Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

This edition commemorates CAFA’s 10th anniversary, as announced in April 2025, with co-hosting confirmed in June. After Malaysia withdrew on 15 July due to logistical and player-availability issues, India was invited as their replacement, officially confirmed by CAFA and AIFF in late July.

Participating Nations & Group Configuration

Eight teams make up this field:

• Hosts / CAFA Member Nations: Iran, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan
• Invited Guest Teams: Oman and India.

FIFA rankings as of April 2025 were used for seeding:

• Pot 1: Iran (18), Uzbekistan (57)
• Pot 2: Tajikistan (104), Kyrgyzstan (103)
• Pot 3: Oman (77), Turkmenistan (142)
• Pot 4: India (127), Afghanistan (160).

The draw, held in Dushanbe on 3 July 2025, initially included Malaysia but was later updated to reflect India’s inclusion. Final group placements:

• Group A: Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Oman.
• Group B: Tajikistan, Iran, Afghanistan, India.

Venues Across Two Nations

Matches will be held across three stadiums in two cities:

• Hisor Central Stadium, Hisor (Tajikistan) – Capacity: 20,000
• Milliy Stadium, Tashkent (Uzbekistan) – Capacity: 40,000
• Pakhtakor Central Stadium, Tashkent (Uzbekistan) – Capacity: 35,000

All of India’s group stage matches will occur at Hisor Central Stadium, while the third-place match is also set for Hisor, and the final will be staged at Milliy Stadium in Tashkent.

India’s Entry & Preparatory Context

India’s inclusion came after Malaysia’s exit, elevating the stakes as a key preparation opportunity ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying third round against Singapore in October. India will face:

• 29 August: Tajikistan vs. India (Hisor)
• 1 September: India vs. Iran (Hisor)
• 4 September: Afghanistan vs. India (Hisor).

India enters Group B with rivals like Iran (18), Tajikistan (104), and Afghanistan (160).

The Role of Head Coach Khalid Jamil

Appointment & Significance

On 1 August 2025, Khalid Jamil was appointed head coach of India on a two-year deal, becoming the first Indian to lead the national team in 13 years, a notable shift towards domestic leadership. AIFF’s technical committee had recommended Jamil as their top choice earlier in July, ahead of other contenders like Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic.

Mission & Vision

Stepping into his first international assignment, Jamil emphasized the CAFA Nations Cup as vital preparation: “This will be beneficial for us to prepare for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers… We may be treating these as preparatory games, but this is serious business for us”.

Team Dynamics & Sidelining Chhetri

Jamil’s approach focuses on testing new talent and squad depth. His 35-man probable list, which initiated training on 16 August in Bengaluru, omitted veteran striker Sunil Chhetri, citing the opportunity to assess fresh players. Yet, he left “the door open” for Chhetri’s return, stating they had discussed the decision, and reaffirmed his respect for Chhetri as a role model. The camp began with 22 players, while 13 others, engaged in the Durand Cup, are expected to join soon.

Key Statistics & Updates

Looking Ahead: What to Expect

• Competitive Edge: Group B poses a challenging landscape. India’s performances, especially against an experienced Iran, will reflect progress under Jamil.
• Talent Evaluation: The tournament serves as a litmus test for emerging players, with Chhetri’s possible reintegration a storyline to watch.
• Team Unity & Strategy: Jamil’s early emphasis on cohesion to “remain united as a team” signals his leadership ethos for the Indian camp.
• Asian Cup Qualifiers on Horizon: How India fares in CAFA will directly influence preparations against Singapore in October.