SAFF Cup: India and Pakistan to renew rivalry after 5 years

India and Pakistan are set to renew their football rivalry after nearly five years as the two neighbouring countries have been clubbed in the same group in the SAFF Cup which will be held in Bengaluru from June 21 to July 4.

Defending champions India are clubbed alongside Pakistan, Kuwait and Nepal in Group A. Lebanon, Maldives, Bangladesh and Bhutan are in Group B.

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The group matches will be played in a round-robin league format and the top two teams in each group will qualify for the semifinals of the eight-nation regional tournament at the Kanteerava Stadium.

Lebanon and Kuwait -- the two countries outside of South Asia -- were invited to make the tournament more competitive. Lebanon are the highest-ranked side in the tournament at 99th while Pakistan are the lowest at 195th. India are the second-highest-ranked side at 101st.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is hopeful that Pakistan players and support staff will get visas to take part in the tournament.

"Pakistan has confirmed its participation in the tournament, that is why they are here in the draw. All the countries of the South Asian region have the right to play in this tournament," AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey said after the draw.

"But things like granting of visas, providing security to the teams, these are not the job of any football federation of any country. The AIFF administration will coordinate with the concerned ministries of the government and we will get the answer with the passage of time."