The upcoming season of the Bangladesh Football League (BFL) will feature 13 teams. While this is a high number of participants, it is not unprecedented, as the league has previously hosted 13-team formats on several occasions. The expansion was primarily driven by FIFA-imposed transfer bans that initially cast doubt on the participation of Bashundhara Kings, Abahani Limited, and the previously relegated Fakirerpool.
To mitigate these uncertainties, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) invited Arambagh, which was relegated last season, and the Bangladesh Championship League’s third-place finisher, Wanderers Club, to join the competition. However, all three clubs recently secured clearance from FIFA, confirming their participation. Additionally, Bangladesh Championship League winners Chittagong City and runners-up Dhaka City have earned promotion, bringing the total number of teams to 13.
Team Preparations and Outlook
- Thursday marked the final deadline for player transfers, with clubs finalizing their squads.
- Mohammedan Sporting Club has assembled a formidable roster featuring numerous national team players.
- Defending champions Bashundhara Kings and Abahani Limited have also strengthened their squads in the final stages of the window.
- The increased number of teams is expected to provide domestic players with more opportunities to compete against international talent.
