BFF announces 28-man preliminary squad

The Bangladesh Football Federation on Tuesday named a 28-member preliminary squad for a national training camp ahead of the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia.

​The residential camp is scheduled to begin in Dhaka on Thursday, 27 August, with players instructed to report by that date. However, head coach Thomas Dooley will not have a full squad at his disposal from day one, as overseas-based players Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome, Tariq Kazi, and Zayyan Ahmed are set to link up with the team at a later stage.

​The 28 players called up for the preliminary camp are: Mitul Marma, Sujon Hossain, Mehdi Hasan Srabon, Anisur Rahman Zico, Topu Barman, Shakil Ahad Topu, Bishwanath Ghosh, Saad Uddin, Taj Uddin, Rahmat Mia, Abdulla Omar, Sakil Hossain, Isa Faysal, Jamal Bhuyan, Sohel Rana (Sr), Sohel Rana, Md Ridoy, Shekh Morsalin, Syed Quazem Kirmanee Shah, Rakib Hossain, Sahariar Emon, Foysal Ahmed Fahim, SM Monjurur Rahman, Minhazul Karim Shadin, Rafiqul Islam, Mohammad Ibrahim, Sourav Dewan, and Rabby Hossen Rahul.

​The tournament will run from 24 September to 4 October in Jakarta, where Bangladesh have been drawn in a tough group alongside hosts Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

​Bangladesh view the regional competition as key preparation ahead of the SAFF Championship, which will be staged on home soil in Dhaka from 4 to 17 November.

​The American coach confirmed there are no fresh faces in the 28-man pool, retaining the same core from June’s international fixture against San Marino.

​"We have everyone we started with. Everyone from the previous squad is here," he said.

​Dooley also intends to keep the opening day low-key, preferring an intimate first session focused on communication rather than closed-door tactical drills.

​"It would be good if we could be alone in the first training session so we can go out on the pitch, talk to the players, and help them adjust to the environment," he said.

​The support staff is still being finalised. One of the two foreign assistant coaches has arrived in Bangladesh, with a local assistant coach also working alongside the team for now. An additional physiotherapist and a fitness trainer will be brought in to help manage player fitness and injuries, though not all backroom staff may be present on the opening day.