Five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil have expressed a strong interest in playing an international friendly match against Bangladesh this October. If all arrangements are finalized, the Brazilian national team, known as the Selecao, aims to face the hosts in Dhaka on October 6.
To evaluate the feasibility of the match and assess local infrastructure, a five-member Brazilian delegation recently made an unannounced visit to Dhaka. During their stay, the representatives inspected the National Stadium and the Bashundhara Kings Arena. They also held preliminary discussions and a courtesy meeting with Tabith Awal, the president of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).
The proposed timeline aligns with the FIFA international window, which runs from September 19 to October 6. According to the current schedule, Brazil is set to play two friendly matches in Australia on September 25 and 29, followed by a match in Kolkata, India, on October 3 against either a local side or the Indian national team. Given the proximity of Kolkata to Dhaka, the Brazilian delegation suggested extending their tour to include the match in Bangladesh on October 6.
Despite the prestige of hosting a global powerhouse, the BFF faces significant logistical and scheduling hurdles. Bangladesh is scheduled to participate in the FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia from September 24 to October 4. With the team expected to return home by October 3 or 4, facing a world-class side like Brazil just two days later poses a severe risk of physical exhaustion and injury to the players. Furthermore, FIFA regulations limit teams to four matches per international window. Since Bangladesh is slated to play four matches during the ASEAN Cup, the proposed October 6 encounter might not receive official recognition as a FIFA-sanctioned match.
Financial considerations also remain a critical factor. The BFF would be responsible for covering the expenses of a massive 90-member Brazilian contingent, including the costs for a chartered flight from Dhaka to Dubai. While the prospect of hosting Brazil represents a historic opportunity for Bangladeshi football, the federation is currently weighing these complex scheduling and financial challenges. A final decision will be announced once both parties reach a formal agreement.
