Hamza, Farhaan to miss Bangladesh's SAFF opener

Bangladesh will begin its SAFF Championship campaign without two England-based players, with Hamza Dewan Choudhury and Farhaan Ali Wahid not expected to join the squad until 9 November, coach Thomas Dooley confirmed on Sunday.

The pair will miss Bangladesh's opening Group A fixture against Bhutan at the National Stadium on 5 November, but should be available for their second group match against Sri Lanka six days later. FIFA's 2026 international window runs from 9 to 17 November, explaining why their clubs are not obliged to release them earlier.

"Hamza comes on the 9th. Farhaan maybe comes on the 9th, something like that. So they will be there for the second game," Dooley said after players reported to camp in Dhaka.

Delayed arrivals underline the logistical tightrope Bangladesh face before the 15th SAFF Championship, in Dhaka from 5 to 17 November. Nepal were excluded after FIFA's suspension of the All Nepal Football Association was not lifted by SAFF's 30 September deadline, leaving Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka in Group A.

Dooley said clubs could retain key players until the international window opens, making preparation difficult. Of the 30 players selected for camp, 21 reported on Sunday, while the other expatriates are expected by 3 November.

The coach has also voiced concern over the 28-player tournament list submitted to SAFF on 18 October, leaving little room for late injuries or fitness concerns. 

Defender Topu Barman has returned with a fitness issue, adding another wrinkle to Bangladesh's preparations.

"If someone played yesterday and comes today with a problem in his knee, what can we do? Nothing," Dooley said. 

The Bangladesh coach is surely busy on his plan for the SAFF mission with little time remaining.