In preparation for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers scheduled from 3–9 September in Vietnam, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has arranged two international friendlies against Bahrain. The decision was finalised during a virtual meeting of the National Teams Committee held on Wednesday.
Bangladesh has been drawn into a challenging group alongside hosts Vietnam, Yemen, and Singapore. From the qualifying stage, the 11 group winners and the four best runners-up will earn a place in the main tournament. Unlike recent editions, the BFF is placing marked emphasis on U-23 development, having previously not arranged overseas matches at this level.
Initially in talks with both China and Bahrain, the BFF ultimately opted for Bahrain due to scheduling conflicts with China. Bangladesh will face Bahrain in two matches on 18 and 22 August.
To facilitate acclimatisation to Vietnamese conditions, BFF plans to dispatch the team to Vietnam at least five days ahead of the tournament — likely by 28 or 29 August. Discussions are also underway to extend the team’s training camp in Bahrain prior to heading to Southeast Asia. “If we can stretch the camp in Bahrain by four or five days, the squad can fly directly to Vietnam from there,” noted National Teams Committee member Iqbal Hossain.
Although the friendly fixtures and tentative schedule are in place, the appointment of the U-23 head coach remains pending. It is widely speculated that technical director Saiful Bari Titu will take charge upon his return from a FIFA programme in Indonesia. The camp is expected to commence shortly after his arrival.
There has also been considerable debate within football circles regarding potential call-ups for expatriate players during the camp. “The coach, schedule, and player list will be confirmed within the next two to three days,” added Iqbal Hossain.
Meanwhile, the senior national team is set to play two fixtures against Nepal during the September FIFA window. Though head coach Javier Cabrera is overseeing that campaign, his involvement with the U-23 squad has led to questions about the autonomy of age-group coaching appointments.
As the qualifiers approach, Bangladesh appears determined to strengthen its developmental pipeline and international competitiveness — an encouraging sign for long-term squad progression.
