Myanmar decline to play Afghanistan, friendly with Bangladesh cancelled

The upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qualifier between Afghanistan and Myanmar, initially scheduled for 18 November in Dhaka, has been thrown into disarray after Myanmar refused to travel to Bangladesh. The decision has also led to the cancellation of Afghanistan’s friendly match with Bangladesh, which was planned for 13 November at the Bashundhara Kings Arena.

According to the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), all organisational arrangements for both fixtures — from logistics and accommodation to match-day security — had been fully completed. However, the situation changed abruptly when Myanmar officially informed the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) of its decision not to play against Afghanistan on Bangladeshi soil.

While no formal reason has been disclosed, officials confirmed that both AFC and the Afghanistan Football Federation are now urgently searching for an alternative venue. The AFC’s website had previously listed Dhaka as the confirmed location for the qualifier, which adds further confusion and raises speculation within regional football circles.

The unexpected withdrawal has sparked debate among fans and commentators alike, particularly because a senior Myanmar official currently serves as an AFC Senior Vice-President. Some have suggested that this high-level influence may have contributed to the abrupt change of plans — though no evidence has emerged to substantiate such claims.

This cancellation is also a blow to Bangladesh’s preparation campaign ahead of their crucial qualifier against India on 18 November, also in Dhaka. The BFF had anticipated that hosting two Asian Cup qualifiers on the same day — Bangladesh vs India and Afghanistan vs Myanmar — would have brought a major boost to local football enthusiasm and international attention.

In an effort to fill the void left by Afghanistan’s absence, Bangladesh has initiated discussions with Nepal as a potential replacement opponent for the November international window. Nepal are themselves scheduled to play their home qualifier in Kuala Lumpur due to stadium availability issues, and might make a brief stop in Dhaka for a friendly before heading to Malaysia.

Despite the mounting uncertainty, neither Afghanistan nor Myanmar has released an official statement confirming or explaining the cancellations. Their respective football federations remain silent on their official websites and social media channels, while the AFC has yet to publish a clarification or updated fixture list.

Historically, venue disputes in Asian football are not unprecedented. Similar incidents occurred during the 2022 World Cup qualifying rounds, when matches involving politically sensitive nations had to be moved to neutral venues such as Doha or Dubai. The current situation reflects once again how logistical, diplomatic, or administrative complexities can disrupt international fixtures in the region.

For now, the fate of the Afghanistan–Myanmar qualifier appears sealed: it will almost certainly not take place in Dhaka. The Bangladesh Football Federation, though not at fault, must now redirect its focus to securing an alternative international opponent to ensure the team remains match-fit and motivated ahead of their encounter with India.

Summary Table: Current Fixture Situation

Unless the AFC intervenes with a swift resolution, Afghanistan’s qualifier will have to be relocated — possibly to a neutral venue in the Middle East. For Bangladesh, the loss of the fixture is both a logistical inconvenience and a missed opportunity to showcase its readiness to host multiple international matches in a single window.