Farhan, Zayn could make national debut before SAFF

For the past few months, speculation had been doing the rounds that two new expatriate players might join the Bangladesh football team ahead of the upcoming SAFF Championship. Several names had been discussed during this time, including that of winger Farhan Ali Wahid, a player of Bangladeshi descent, from the youth setup of English Premier League side Fulham. It now appears that this is finally set to become a reality. This 19-year-old footballer could be seen donning the Bangladesh jersey as early as the upcoming September FIFA window. Alongside him, Zayn Hakeem, a forward plying his trade for English club Welling United, might also make his international bow during this window.

Farhan has shone in Fulham's youth teams over the past few years. As a reward for those performances, the 19-year-old winger of Bangladeshi origin is now knocking on the door of the English club's senior squad. After impressing during pre-season preparations under new coach Alvaro Arbeloa, he made his senior team debut in a friendly match against Norwich City on Saturday. With the dream of playing in the Premier League drawing closer, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is also hopeful of seeing Farhan in the Bangladesh jersey. BFF is focusing on the process of bringing him into the national squad during the FIFA window in September, ahead of the SAFF tournament.

Football’s governing body in the country hopes to have Zayn join the national team in September, alongside Farhan. The 27-year-old forward could also be seen wearing the red-and-green jersey. BFF vice president Fahad Karim confirmed this to Daily Sun.

The BFF official said, “We are trying to bring Farhan and Zayn in the September window. I hope they will come. Farhan’s birth certificate is done, we have made an appointment for his passport this week. And there were some issues with Zayn’s documents, those have been sorted out. Hopefully all the work will be completed before the September window.

The BFF plans to host an international tournament on home soil during the upcoming FIFA window in September. However, no final decision has been reached yet regarding the tournament's format or the number of participating teams. Regardless of where the matches are held, these two Bangladeshi footballers will feature in the squad's plans.

Regarding this, Fahad added, "Our president (Tabith Awal) has a plan to organise a four-nation tournament. We are in discussions, though we are not yet certain whether it will involve four teams or three. However, regardless of where we play during the September window, we will, Inshallah, invite these two newcomers."

Meanwhile, the Asian Games is fast approaching. However, Fahad has clarified that no expatriate players or new faces will be seen in the women's squad for this mega event. Nevertheless, even if not at the Asiad, the BFF is looking for opportunities to assess new footballers for the women's team during the November window. The BFF VP noted, “All discussions are at a very preliminary stage. However, I am optimistic that we will be able to give at least two or three female footballers a chance in the camp during the November window. What happens next will depend on their coach, but we are trying to bring in three new players."