BFF plan UK scouting drive, permanent U-23 squad

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) plan to launch a UK-based scouting programme for British-Bangladeshi youngsters and maintain a permanent Under-23 squad as part of a sweeping strategy to rebuild the national team ahead of the SAFF Championship in November.

BFF president Tabith Awal announced the initiatives on Monday after a rare joint meeting of the national, development and technical committees, held to address the team’s recent struggles and establish a clearer pathway for emerging talent.

Awal also promised a personal investigation into allegations of players participating in unauthorised local matches and concerns over controversial social media photographs following Bangladesh’s ASEAN Cup campaign.

“I will personally investigate this issue. I will sit with the players and recommend the next steps,” he said. Local and foreign coaching staff will also face greater accountability through mandatory reports.

Bangladesh’s SAFF preparations will begin with a training camp on 25 October, with the BFF hoping to arrange an unofficial friendly against a foreign club or national team around 31 October. However, most overseas-based players are expected to join only when the FIFA international window opens on 9 November, four days after the tournament begins.

Frustrated by seven minutes of stoppage time awarded against Bangladesh in their ASEAN Cup match against Indonesia, Awal urged regional organisers to introduce VAR at the SAFF Championship to improve officiating.

For long-term development, the BFF will keep an Under-23 squad active during every FIFA window, arranging unofficial friendlies to create a direct pathway to the senior team.

The federation will also organise two scouting camps annually in the UK for British-Bangladeshi players aged 14 to 17.

“We believe this will give us a strong UK-based diaspora pipeline for the future,” Awal said, clarifying that Bangladesh would focus on players of Bangladeshi origin rather than naturalising foreign nationals, as Indonesia and Malaysia have done.

Awal also acknowledged concerns over poor domestic pitches and uneven league fixtures, promising a safer playing environment to reduce injury risks ahead of the SAFF tournament.

Asked about head coach Thomas Dooley’s future, Awal said the federation remained open to change but had made no decision.

“Change and evolution are part of the game. That does not mean we have made a decision now, it just means we are open to any decision when we need to take it,” he said.