SL to compete in Maldives Four-Nation Invitational Football Tournament 2026

The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has decided to field the Sri Lanka national football team in the Four-Nation Invitational International Football Tournament, scheduled to be held in June–July 2026 in the Maldives, in conjunction with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Maldivian football.

The decision follows an official invitation extended by the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), to which the FFSL has responded positively. Along with Sri Lanka, the tournament is expected to feature Bangladesh, Nepal, and hosts Maldives.

This event will mark Sri Lanka’s first international football tournament of 2026. Prior to that, the national team is scheduled to face Chinese Taipei away from home on March 31, as part of Group ‘D’ of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 (Saudi Arabia) final round qualifiers, Sri Lanka’s last match.

Maldivian football celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, commemorating the establishment of an independent governing body for football in 1950. According to FFSL President Jaswar Umar, Sri Lanka’s participation in the invitational tournament has been approved as part of preparations for the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup 2026, which is scheduled for September–October.

Sri Lanka also has fond memories associated with Maldivian jubilee tournaments. During the Maldives Football Golden Jubilee Invitational Tournament in 2000, held in Malé, Sri Lanka defeated the hosts in the final to clinch the prestigious Maldives Golden Jubilee Trophy.

The upcoming four-nation tournament is expected to provide valuable international exposure for the Sri Lankan squad as they build momentum ahead of major regional competitions.

The Maldives has officially launched the logo commemorating the 75th anniversary of Maldivian football during the Football Festival held at National Stadium.

The event took place as part of the visit of FIFA President Gianni Infantino to the Maldives, following an invitation from the President of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), Ahmed Thoriq.

Source : DailyMirror