More Players Eye Bangladesh Football After Hamza's Debut

Will Bangladesh football see an influx of expatriate players eager to represent the national team? This question has emerged in the country's football scene following the recent debut of Premier League midfielder Hamza Choudhury, which has sparked a growing interest among expatriate footballers.

The Bangladesh football team returned home from India on Wednesday after competing in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Since Hamza’s debut, there has been a surge of players expressing their desire to wear the green and red jersey.

According to Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Vice President Fahad Karim, 32 footballers of Bangladeshi origin from 13 different countries have formally shown interest in joining the national team. Among the prominent names are England-based Karim Hassan Smith, Ilman Matin, and Ashiqur Rahman; Farhan Mahmud from France; Nabid Ahmed from Canada; and US-based Amir Sami.

A standout among the prospects is Canadian midfielder Samit Som, who has represented Canada at both youth and senior levels. The BFF is eager to include Som in the national team, pending FIFA clearance.

Hamza, meanwhile, has left to rejoin his club in the English Premier League.

To streamline the player selection process, the BFF will host a three-day trial in Dhaka starting June 25, focusing on strengthening the youth squads. The initiative is being supported by Sakib Mahmud, a Denmark-based volunteer who has played a key role in identifying eligible players, many of whom were found through social media platforms.

While five players have already arrived in Bangladesh for youth team trials, Samit is the only player currently being considered for the senior squad. The BFF aims to finalize his inclusion before the June 10 Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore in Dhaka.

This growing interest in expatriate players represents a promising new chapter for Bangladesh football, as the national team looks to broaden its talent pool.