New league season starts Friday under a cloud

The 2026-27 Bangladesh Football League (BFL) season kicks off on Friday, with clubs racing against time to get ready despite lingering doubts, visa headaches, and player shortages.

Defending champions Bashundhara Kings begin their title defence against Arambagh on 19 September. Coach Syed Golam Jilani confirmed that three foreign recruits are yet to arrive, although their Nepalese players signed under the regional quota are training with the squad.

In Gazipur, Rahmatganj face Police FC, with coach Kamal Babu admitting they are at a disadvantage as their foreign players have yet to arrive. Police FC, meanwhile, are match-fit after their AFC Challenge League campaign.

Chandpur will host top-flight football for the first time, serving as the home venue for Dhaka Wanderers and Fakirerpool Young Men's. Wanderers general secretary Mahbubur Rahman Shaheen said the club are ready and want the season to begin as soon as possible.

In Manikganj, Abahani take on PWD without their Nigerian recruits due to visa delays. Manager Shahid Hossain Swapon also urged the federation to release three national-team players before they depart for international duty.

Mohammedan Sporting Club will miss the opening fixtures but remain locked in a dispute over nine players in the national camp. The club have requested their matches on 25 and 29 September be rescheduled, but are yet to receive a response from the federation.