Bangladesh is set to participate in the FIFA-organized ASEAN Cup, scheduled to take place in Indonesia from September 24 to October 4. The opportunity arose after India withdrew from the competition to prioritize a friendly match against five-time world champions Brazil, which is slated for October 3 in Kolkata. Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) officials confirmed the development following an executive committee meeting, noting that they received positive confirmation from FIFA on Friday night regarding their application to join the tournament.
The tournament will feature eight teams divided into two groups, with Bangladesh stepping into India’s place in Group A. They are set to face host nation Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Group B will consist of Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Pakistan. This marks the inaugural edition of the ASEAN Cup held under the direct supervision of FIFA. While organizers had initially invited China, India, and Hong Kong as guest nations from outside the ASEAN bloc, India’s scheduling conflict cleared the path for Bangladesh to participate as an invited guest.
For the Bangladesh national team, this tournament serves as a vital preparation phase ahead of the SAFF Championship, which is scheduled to be held on home soil this November. The federation had originally explored options for the September FIFA window, including potential matches in Kyrgyzstan or at home, but opted to seize the ASEAN Cup opportunity instead. This participation allows players like Hamza and Shamit to gain valuable experience against competitive regional sides before the SAFF campaign.
Under the guidance of German-American head coach Tom Saintfiet, the national team is scheduled to begin its training camp on August 27. The federation emphasized that FIFA will cover all travel and accommodation expenses for the Bangladeshi squad, in addition to providing participation fees and potential prize money. The decision to join the ASEAN Cup is viewed as a strategic move to ensure the team is match-ready for their goal of reclaiming the SAFF title later this year.
