Ronan, Mahi earn maiden senior call-ups for SAFF C'ship

Bangladesh have handed maiden senior international call-ups to promising forwards Ronan Benjamin Sullivan and Mohammed Mahe Khan as head coach Thomas Dooley named a 28-member preliminary squad for the upcoming TECNO SAFF Championship Bangladesh 2026.

The inclusion of the two Under-20 players is the headline development in a squad blending experienced campaigners, overseas-based footballers and emerging talent. Ronan, born in the United States, was a key figure in Bangladesh's SAFF Under-20 Championship triumph in April, scoring twice against Pakistan on his debut before converting his penalty in the shoot-out against India in the final. He currently represents Saint Joseph's Hawks in the United States.

England-born striker Mahe has taken a different route into the senior set-up. The Bangladesh Under-20 player has impressed for Moulton FC, a ninth-tier English club, scoring nine goals in seven appearances this season. His rich vein of form has earned him a first taste of senior national-team football.

The preliminary squad retains the likes of Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome, Jamal Bhuiyan and Farhaan Ali Wahid, while Topu Barman, Mohammad Ibrahim, Isa Faysal and Syed Quazem Kirmanee Shah return to the fold.

Notably, Shahriar Emon, Shakil Ahad Topu and SM Manjurur Rahman, who were involved in Bangladesh's recent ASEAN Cup campaign, have been left out.

The squad also includes Saad Uddin and Sohel Rana Junior, who have been at the centre of a disciplinary investigation following the ASEAN Cup campaign. BFF President Tabith Awal previously said the investigation had been completed and that he would issue a ruling before Bangladesh's first SAFF match.

Bangladesh are drawn in Group A with Bhutan and Sri Lanka, while India, Maldives and Pakistan form Group B. Nepal remain outside the current schedule following their FIFA suspension. The hosts will open their campaign against Bhutan at the Dhaka National Stadium on November 5, before facing Sri Lanka on November 11. 

The squad is scheduled to assemble for the SAFF camp from October 25, with Bangladesh seeking to make home advantage count in their bid to end a 23-year wait for a second regional title.

The 28-man squad
Mitul Marma, Sujon Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Srabon, Topu Barman, Bishwanath Ghosh, Saad Uddin, Rahmat Mia, Zidane Alexander Yousuf, Isa Faysal, Tariq Raihan Kazi, Zayyan Ahmed, Sohel Rana, Sohel Rana Junior, Hridoy, Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome, Syed Quazem Kirmanee Shah, Jamal Bhuiyan, Farhaan Ali Wahid, Sheikh Morsalin, Rakib Hossain, Faisal Ahmed Fahim, Fahamedul Islam, Mohammad Ibrahim, Shuki Itofusa, Minhajul Karim Shadin, Ronan Benjamin Sullivan, and Mohammed Mahe Khan.