KUALA LUMPUR – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is confident the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) can manage any political tension between India and Pakistan, should the two nations meet during the 2026 SAFF Championship.
Well-versed in navigating hostility among its member nations, SAFF has earned the AFC’s trust to weather any storm, especially in fixtures involving arch-rivals India and Pakistan, whose longstanding political conflict has once again escalated.
Concerns have flared online over the safety and security of players and fans ahead of the regional football tournament, following India’s military launch of “Operation Sindoor” on Tuesday.
The operation targeted nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack.
Indian media reports claim over 100 Pakistanis – labelled terrorists by Indian forces – have been killed in the operation so far.
Despite decades of tension, India and Pakistan have continued to meet in sporting competitions, particularly in cricket, hockey, and the SAFF Championship, where both countries have competed since the tournament’s inception in 1993.
In an exclusive interview with Scoop, AFC secretary-general Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John expressed full confidence in SAFF’s ability to keep the peace.
“SAFF has long been recognised as one of the most organised federations within the AFC,” he said.
“They understand exactly what needs to be done, particularly when it comes to managing sensitive fixtures.
“Take the case of India and Pakistan. SAFF has consistently demonstrated professionalism by selecting neutral venues for their encounters, especially during periods of political strain between the two nations.”
Windsor stressed that AFC has already established standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure security and neutrality are upheld.
“If India and Pakistan were to meet in a future SAFF Championship, I foresee no issues—everything, including security measures, will be well-managed and under control,” he added when met at the AFC headquarters in Bukit Jalil.
The 2026 SAFF Championship is set to be hosted by Sri Lanka between June and July, though the exact dates remain unconfirmed. India is the competition’s most decorated side, having won it nine times.
Windsor also reiterated AFC’s strict stance on keeping politics out of football.
“Our learning curve within the AFC has been steep, especially as we’ve witnessed various conflicts across nations in our continent over the years.
“Thankfully, we now have strong regulations in place. Should any such situations arise, we are well-prepared with clear protocols shaped by past experiences. Our regulatory framework is both robust and comprehensive, allowing us to steer football away from political interference.
“Our primary role is to ensure that football remains free from political influence. We are not to follow political decisions.
“For example, if a country is unwilling to host another nation due to political tensions, it is required to provide a neutral venue—this is clearly stipulated in our regulations.” – May 10, 2025