The Bangladesh national football team has announced a 28-man training squad as preparations begin for two important international matches later this month. The side will face Vietnam in a friendly on 26 March before taking on Singapore in their final qualifying fixture of the Asian Cup campaign on 31 March.
The Bangladesh Football Federation confirmed that the training camp will begin in Dhaka, where the squad will assemble for several days of preparation before travelling abroad. Head coach Javier Cabrera hopes the camp will help his players sharpen their match fitness and tactical organisation ahead of the upcoming fixtures.
One of the notable inclusions in the squad is defender Bishwanath Ghosh, who returns after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury. The experienced defender, who plays for Bashundhara Kings at club level, last represented Bangladesh on 5 September 2024 in an international match against Bhutan. After months of rehabilitation and recovery, his return is expected to strengthen the defensive options available to the coaching staff.
Another notable development in the squad is the inclusion of goalkeeper Ishak Akond from Brothers Union, who has been called up to the national camp for the first time. His selection reflects his consistent performances in domestic competitions and provides an opportunity for him to compete for a place in the senior national team.
However, England-based midfielder Cuba Mitchell has been omitted from the current squad. Mitchell made his international debut for Bangladesh in November last year during a match against Nepal but will not feature in the initial training group.
Also absent from the 28-man list is midfielder Hamza Choudhury. According to the Bangladesh Football Federation, he will not take part in the first phase of the preparation camp. The national side will train in Dhaka from 16 to 19 March before travelling to Vietnam on 20 March. Choudhury is expected to join the team directly during the overseas phase of the preparation.
Bangladesh’s hopes of reaching the main tournament of the Asian Cup have already ended, but the team remains determined to finish the qualifying campaign strongly. So far, Bangladesh have played five matches in the qualifiers, registering one victory, two draws and two defeats. Their only win came in November when they defeated India on home soil, giving them a total of five points in the standings.
Bangladesh Training Squad Overview
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Mitul Marma, Sujon Hossain, Mehedi Hasan, Ishak Akond |
| Defenders | Tariq Kazi, Rahmat Mia, Shakil Ahad, Abdullah Omar, Shakil Hossain, Zayan Ahmed, Bishwanath Ghosh, Sad Uddin, Monjurur Rahman, Isa Faisal |
| Midfielders | Kazem Shah, Sheikh Morsalin, Jamal Bhuiyan, Sohel Rana, Mohammad Sohel Rana, Mohammad Hridoy, Shamit Shome |
The coaching staff believe the blend of experienced players and emerging talents in the squad will provide valuable preparation for the upcoming international matches. The fixtures against Vietnam and Singapore will also serve as an opportunity to assess player form and strengthen the team’s cohesion ahead of future competitions.