The official draw for the kabaddi competition at the 2026 Asian Games has brought positive news for the Indian men’s team. The India Men’s kabaddi group has been confirmed, with defending champions India avoiding traditional rivals Iran during the preliminary stage of the tournament.
The draw, conducted by the Aichi Nagoya 2026 Organising Committee, has placed India in Group A, while Iran will compete in Group B. As a result, fans will not witness an India vs Iran kabaddi Asian Games clash unless both teams reach the knockout rounds.
The kabaddi competition will be held from September 21 to September 26 at the Tōkai Citizens Gymnasium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
India Men’s Kabaddi Group Offers Balanced Challenge
India have been drawn alongside Bangladesh, Republic of Korea, Chinese Taipei, and hosts Japan in Group A.
Although avoiding Iran is considered an advantage, India cannot afford to take the group stage lightly. South Korea remains one of the strongest teams in the competition and has previously defeated India during the group stage of the 2018 Asian Games.
Bangladesh has traditionally been a competitive kabaddi nation, while Chinese Taipei has continued to improve over recent years. Playing against the host nation Japan could also prove challenging because of home support and familiar conditions.
The top two teams from each group will qualify directly for the semi-finals, making every group match important.
India vs Iran Kabaddi Asian Games Clash Delayed
One of the biggest talking points from the draw is the separation of India and Iran in the men’s event.
The India vs Iran kabaddi Asian Games rivalry has produced several memorable contests over the years, with both countries regularly competing for the gold medal. By being placed in different groups, the two strongest teams cannot meet before the semi-finals.
This gives both sides an opportunity to build momentum during the group stage before potentially facing each other in the knockout rounds.
Iran has been placed in Group B alongside Pakistan, Thailand, Nepal, and Malaysia. Like India, Iran will aim to finish in the top two and secure a place in the semi-finals.
Women’s Team Faces Tougher Draw
While the men’s team avoided Iran, the Indian women’s team face a more difficult group.
India and Iran have both been placed in Group A along with hosts Japan and Bangladesh. Their meeting during the group stage is expected to be one of the biggest matches of the tournament.
The contest will be a repeat of one of Asia’s biggest kabaddi rivalries, with India looking to defend the gold medal they won at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023.
Many fans believe the group stage encounter could also serve as an early preview of the gold medal match.
Tournament Schedule Confirmed
The kabaddi competition will begin with the preliminary group stage from September 21 to September 24. The semi-finals are scheduled for September 25, while the men’s and women’s finals will be played on September 26.
With only the top two teams from each group progressing, every match will have significant importance.
The India Men’s kabaddi group gives the defending champions a balanced path to the knockout stage, but they will still need consistent performances against quality opposition. While the India vs Iran kabaddi Asian Games showdown has been postponed until the later stages, fans will be hoping both teams progress and renew one of the sport’s greatest rivalries in Japan.
