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Hamza, Farhan expected to join B'desh camp on Nov 9
Published : Monday, 26 October, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Observer Online Report
Bangladesh will be without expatriate footballers Hamza Choudhury and Farhan Ali Wahid for their opening match against Bhutan in the SAFF Championship on November 5, with the duo expected to join the national team camp on November 9.
The delay is due to a mismatch between the tournament schedule and FIFA's international window, which begins on November 9. Their English clubs are not obliged to release them before the official window opens.
According to national team head coach Thomas Dooley, the two players are expected to join training on November 9, potentially making them available for Bangladesh's final group-stage match against Sri Lanka on November 11.
Dooley confirmed the situation on Sunday, the opening day of Bangladesh's preparation camp. He expressed frustration over the difficulties of securing players from high-level foreign leagues, saying their availability depends on club fixtures and flight schedules.
Bangladesh began a preliminary training camp with 30 players on Sunday, but only 21 reported on the first day. Ishak Akando and Md Asif, who are not included in the announced 28-member preliminary squad, have been allowed to train with the team.
Other expatriate players, apart from Hamza and Farhan, are expected to join the camp by November 3.
The team management is also concerned about preparation time and players' fitness ahead of the tournament. Bangladesh had to submit its final 28-member squad to the SAFF authorities by October 18, leaving little room to replace a player in the event of a late injury. Experienced defender Topu Barman has also returned to camp with a minor fitness concern.
The SAFF Championship will be held at the National Stadium in Dhaka from November 5 to 17. Hosts Bangladesh, placed in Group A, will open their campaign against Bhutan at 8:00pm on November 5 before facing Sri Lanka on November 11.
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
