BFF throws Abahani and Kings a lifeline as club licensing deadline is extended

 
With the new domestic season fast approaching, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has handed a crucial reprieve on Friday to clubs by extending the deadline for club licensing applications until 11 August. 

The decision came after two of the country's biggest sides, Dhaka Abahani Limited and Bashundhara Kings, were unable to apply because of FIFA-imposed registration bans. The extension comes with the Challenge Cup, Federation Cup and Bangladesh Football League (BFL) 2026-27 set to kick off later this month.
In a statement, the federation urged all clubs to complete every licensing requirement within the revised deadline, making it clear that no application would be accepted without fulfilling the necessary criteria.
 
The BFF said the deadline for meeting all club licensing requirements for the 2026-27 season had been extended until 11 August and requested every club to complete the process within that timeframe.
Abahani's situation appears considerably brighter than that of the reigning league champions. The traditional Dhaka giants are understood to have only one outstanding FIFA registration ban.
Abahani have already reached an agreement with the legal representative of the concerned foreign footballer and completed the required payment, leaving the formal lifting of the sanction largely a matter of time.

The picture is far more complicated for Bashundhara Kings, who reportedly remain under 12 FIFA registration bans. The club has yet to issue an official statement regarding the matter.
Even if Abahani secure clearance before the deadline, another race against time awaits. The club would then have only a narrow window to complete the registration of more than 30 players and coaching staff before the domestic competitions get under way. As a result, there is growing expectation that the player registration deadline may also be pushed back by several days to keep the season on track.