Bangladesh Announce Strong 16-Member Squad for SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship

Bangladesh have unveiled a robust 16-member squad for the upcoming SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship, marking a significant moment in the nation’s return to international women’s futsal after a long absence. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) formally announced the squads for both the women’s and men’s futsal teams on Tuesday, 23 December, ahead of the regional tournaments scheduled to take place in Thailand in mid-January.

The women’s competition will begin on 13 January, followed shortly by the men’s tournament on 14 January. While both announcements have drawn attention, it is the women’s squad—led once again by the experienced Sabina Khatun—that has generated the most discussion.

Sabina, the long-serving captain of the Bangladesh women’s football team, has been absent from the national set-up since the players’ revolt surrounding former coach Peter Butler. Her appointment as captain of the futsal side therefore signals a notable shift, suggesting that the federation is keen to rely on her leadership and experience as the team prepares for its return to the international stage. For many observers, this decision represents both a sporting and symbolic reset.

The final squad blends experience with resilience. Among those selected is Marzia, a member of the Bangladesh team that lifted the SAFF Women’s Championship in 2022, bringing with her a winning mentality. Also returning is Misrat Jahan Mousumi, who has been out of the national picture for an extended period but has now earned a recall through consistent performances. However, not everyone from the preliminary squad made the cut. Unnati Khatun, Nasrin Akhter and Sejuti Islam Smriti were omitted from the final list, underlining the competitive nature of the selection process.

Bangladesh last appeared in an international women’s futsal competition in 2018, when they participated in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers—also under Sabina’s captaincy. Seven years on, the team’s re-entry into international futsal is being viewed as a fresh chapter, with hopes of building a stronger pathway for the women’s game in the country.

On the men’s side, the announcement was comparatively straightforward. There were no major surprises, with Canada-based Bangladeshi Rahbar Khan retaining the captain’s armband after leading the side in the AFC Futsal qualifiers in Indonesia. One of the notable inclusions is England-based expatriate player Eman Alam, who adds further depth and international exposure to the squad.

Overall, Bangladesh’s women’s futsal squad reflects ambition, continuity and experience. With a seasoned captain at the helm and a mix of proven and returning players, expectations are cautiously optimistic as the team prepares to test itself against regional rivals.

Bangladesh Women’s Futsal Squad (SAFF Championship)

As the countdown to the SAFF tournaments begins, all eyes will be on how this revitalised Bangladeshi women’s side performs on their long-awaited return to international futsal.