Rajshahi Stars set to make history as Bangladesh's first AFC Club representative

Bangladesh women's football has long occupied a paradox. The national side are back-to-back SAFF champions — the best in South Asia - yet their players have had to represent foreign clubs whenever AFC club competition has called. For two consecutive editions of the AFC Women's Champions League, not a single Bangladeshi club entered the draw. That is about to change.

Rajshahi Stars, champions of the Bangladesh Women's Football League, have registered to compete in the upcoming AFC Women's Champions League, marking it the first time a Bangladeshi club will be represented in the continental tournament.

The registration deadline fell on 19 May, the very day Rajshahi Stars submitted their application. The AFC typically takes several days to review submissions before granting approval.

Rajshahi Stars are relative newcomers to women's football. The club assembled a squad brimming with national talent, including stars Ritu Porna Chakma and Rupna Chakma, and swept to an unbeaten league title. Yet despite earning the right to compete in the AFC tournament, the club initially declined the invitation.

Unlike the men's competition, where a runners-up side can step in if the champions are unable to fulfill the conditions, no such provision exists on the women's side. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) therefore personally approached Rajshahi Stars and urged them to reconsider. At the eleventh hour, the club agreed to participate.

Team manager Musfiq Rahman said, "We want to play in Bangladesh. We have requested BFF that we are allowed to serve as hosts."

The third edition of the AFC Women's Champions League is scheduled to kick off in August 2026. For Ritu Porna, Rupna, and their teammates, it will be a chance to represent Bangladeshi club football on an Asian stage for the very first time.