Bangladesh football supporters have received a major boost as midfielder Hamza Chowdhury returns to full fitness following a period on the sidelines. The 28-year-old, born in England and currently playing for Leicester City, is set to rejoin the national team for the upcoming FIFA friendly against Vietnam at the end of March.
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Hamza’s Injury Timeline
Hamza sustained a knee injury on 31 January during a Championship clash against Charlton Athletic, leaving the pitch on crutches. His absence in February saw him miss six matches, including crucial preparation for the national team’s final AFC Asian Cup qualifying fixture.
However, brief appearances against Ipswich Town on 7 March and Bristol City on 11 March confirmed his complete recovery. With full fitness restored, he is now expected to feature in Bangladesh’s friendly against Vietnam on 26 March, as well as the subsequent match against Singapore on 31 March.
BAFUF President Tabith Awal chaired a meeting of the national team committee, after which Media Committee Chairman Amirul Islam Babul confirmed, “Hamza is now fully fit. He will join the national team in Vietnam on 22 March.”
Preliminary Squad and National Camp Schedule
| Date | Event | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 14 March | Zayan Ahmed arrives from the USA | Joins national camp |
| 15 March | Shomit Shom arrives from Canada | Joins national camp |
| 16 March | Fahamedul Islam (Italy) & Tariq Raihan Kazi (Finland) return | Camp now complete |
| 16 March | National camp begins in Dhaka | Led by Spanish coach Javier Cabrera |
| 21 March | 23-member final squad departs for Vietnam | For friendly and qualifying preparations |
| 22 March | Hamza Chowdhury joins the squad | Boosts team strength |
National Team Preparations
Spanish coach Javier Cabrera is expected to announce a 30-member preliminary squad shortly. Following the Dhaka camp, a 23-player final team will depart for Vietnam. Players from the USA, Canada, Italy, and Finland are arriving in Dhaka on schedule, ensuring the squad reaches full strength ahead of the friendly and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
Current Asian Cup Qualifying Status
In Group C, Singapore has already secured qualification to the main round, meaning Bangladesh’s match against them will no longer affect the group standings. Bangladesh currently holds five points from five matches, placing them third in the group. Notably, this will be the final match under Cabrera’s four-year contract with BAFUF.
Hamza’s return significantly strengthens Bangladesh’s lineup, enhancing both the team’s performance and morale ahead of upcoming matches against Vietnam and other opponents. Fans and officials alike are optimistic that his presence will inspire improved results and greater confidence on the international stage.