Can Bangladesh break India final jinx?

Bangladesh will take on India in the final of the 2026 SAFF U-20 Championship at the National Football Stadium in Male today, hoping to secure a maiden win over their neighbours in the final of the tournament at any level. The match will kick off at 9:00 pm, and will be live-streamed on ‘Sportzworkz’ YouTube channel.

** Like their senior team, Bangladesh’s age-level sides have never beaten India in a SAFF Championship final. The national team lost both their finals against India -- in 1999 and 2005 -- while the age-level teams suffered defeats in 2019 (U-18), 2022 (U-20), and 2025 (U-19).

** However, Bangladesh held India to a 1-1 draw earlier in the group stage of this edition.

** Both teams began their campaigns with wins over Pakistan -- Bangladesh winning 2-0 and India registering a 3-0 victory.

** Bangladesh edged past Nepal 1-0 in the semifinal, while India thrashed Bhutan 5-0 to storm into the final.

** Defending champions India have won the tournament a record four times.

** Bangladesh’s only title came in 2024.