India and Pakistan have promised to shake hands ahead of their SAFF Championship 2026 clash, with India head coach Naushad Moosa even suggesting that the players could embrace their opponents in a show of sportsmanship.
The assurance came at the pre-match press conferences of both teams on Wednesday, amid heightened attention on the customary handshake between the two sides following recent incidents in other sports, particularly cricket.
Asked whether India’s players would shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts before kick-off or after the final whistle, and whether they would exchange jerseys, captain Nathan Rodriguez gave an unequivocal response.
“Of course, yes, it’s not a big deal, but yeah, we will do that,” Rodriguez said.
Moosa went a step further, saying his players would be happy to embrace their opponents if needed.
“If needed, we would love to go and hug them,” the India coach said.
Pakistan captain Alamgir Ghazi was equally clear when asked about his team’s approach, echoing the Indian camp’s position and drawing a distinction between football and cricket.
“No, the same goes for us. It’s not cricket, it’s football. And that’s why it’s the beautiful game. So yeah, we’ll do the same,” Ghazi said.
The question reflects the strained atmosphere surrounding recent India-Pakistan sporting encounters, particularly in cricket, where players have at times refused to exchange handshakes.
The customary gesture has become a talking point in the rivalry, with political tensions between the two countries spilling over into sporting events. Football, however, appears set to offer a different scene when the two sides meet in the SAFF Championship.
The focus will now shift to the pitch, where India and Pakistan will renew their rivalry in the regional tournament.
