Bangladesh’s preparations for the SAFF Championship have encountered a significant setback, with most of the country’s overseas-based footballers expected to miss the opening match because of a scheduling clash with their club commitments.
The tournament, South Asia’s premier international football competition, returns to Bangladesh after an eight-year gap. With the opening match scheduled for 4 November, the hosts have limited time to prepare for the challenge. Bangladesh are due to begin their campaign against Bhutan on 5 November, but the absence of several key players could complicate their plans from the outset.
The main difficulty stems from the timing of the FIFA international window, which begins on 9 November. As a result, Bangladesh are unlikely to have their full squad available for the opening fixture, potentially forcing the coaching staff to field a substantially different line-up for the first match.
One of the players affected is Hamza Choudhury, who plays for English club Sheffield United. His club commitments run until 7 November, making his availability for Bangladesh’s match against Bhutan uncertain. Other Bangladesh internationals based overseas face similar scheduling problems, leaving the team with limited options for the start of the tournament.
Speaking after a meeting of the national team committee, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Tabith Awal acknowledged the challenge and outlined the expected timeline for the squad’s availability.
“We will not have our full squad for the opening match of the SAFF Championship. We expect to get around 90 per cent of our overseas-based players after 9 November. As a result, we may have to play with a different team after the first match,” he said.
Tabith also confirmed that Bangladesh’s training camp would begin on 25 October. The coaching staff will therefore have to make the most of the available preparation time, while planning for the gradual arrival of players whose club schedules prevent them from joining the squad at the start.
The BFF is also attempting to arrange a friendly match ahead of the championship. As the fixture would take place outside the official FIFA international window, securing the release of overseas-based players could prove difficult. According to Tabith, the federation is exploring the possibility of bringing a foreign team to Bangladesh and is also in discussions with clubs to arrange a suitable opponent.
Conditions in domestic football have emerged as another concern. The federation is examining the poor state of pitches used in the domestic league, with particular attention to the risk of injuries. Unsuitable playing surfaces can affect preparation and increase the likelihood of players sustaining injuries, making pitch quality an important consideration ahead of a demanding international tournament.
Bangladesh’s recent performances have added to the pressure surrounding the team. The national side conceded nine goals against Indonesia in the latest ASEAN Cup, a heavy defeat that intensified criticism of head coach Thomas Dooley. With the SAFF Championship approaching, expectations will be high for the team to demonstrate greater defensive organisation and improved overall performance.
Asked about Dooley’s future, Tabith said changes involving players and coaching staff were a normal part of football, but stressed that no final decision had been taken.
“Changes among players and coaching staff are a normal process in world football. However, that does not mean we have already made any final decision. All options remain open if the team’s needs require a decision at any point,” he said.
Tabith added that the federation had brought every department under scrutiny following the ASEAN Cup campaign. He said he was also accountable to the relevant committee, underlining that responsibility for the team’s performance extended beyond the players and coaching staff. The federation is also working to strengthen accountability among footballers for their performances.
The immediate challenge, however, remains the opening phase of the SAFF Championship. Bangladesh must prepare for Bhutan without several important overseas-based players, while managing concerns over training conditions and the team’s recent form. How effectively the coaching staff handles the shortage of available players could prove crucial to the hosts’ hopes of making a strong start on home soil.