The Bangladesh national football team is gearing up for its final fixture of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against Singapore on 31 March. Ahead of this crucial encounter, coach Javier Cabrera’s squad will face Vietnam in a friendly match on 26 March as part of their preparation. To get ready for both fixtures, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has officially announced a 28-player camp squad starting tomorrow.
One of the notable inclusions is defender Bishwanath Ghosh, who returns to the national team after a prolonged injury layoff. Bishwanath, who plays for Bashundhara Kings, last represented Bangladesh on 5 September 2024 against Bhutan. His return is expected to bolster the defensive line with experience and composure.
New faces also feature in the squad, including goalkeeper Ishak Akand from Brothers. However, England-based midfielder Kuba Mitchell has been omitted from the initial phase of the camp. Mitchell made his national team debut in November 2025 against Nepal but will not join the team for the early sessions.
Another player absent from the initial camp is Hamza Chowdhury. The BFF clarified that Hamza will join the team in Vietnam after the first phase of training in Dhaka, which runs from 16 to 19 March. The team will depart for Vietnam on 20 March to continue preparations ahead of the friendly match.
Bangladesh’s chances of qualifying for the main round of the Asian Cup have already ended. In the qualifiers so far, the team has recorded one victory against India at home in November, while the remaining four matches resulted in two draws and two defeats. Currently, Bangladesh sits on five points in the standings.
The full 28-player camp squad is as follows:
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Mitul Marma, Sujon Hossain, Mehedi Hasan, Ishak Akand |
| Defenders | Tariq Kazi, Rahmat Mia, Shakil Ahad, Abdullah Omar, Shakil Hossain, Zayan Ahmed, Bishwanath Ghosh, Sad Uddin, Manjurur Rahman, Isa Faisal |
| Midfielders | Kazem Shah, Sheikh Morsalin, Jamal Bhuiya, Sohel Rana, Md. Sohel Rana, Mohammad Hridoy, Shomit Som |
| Forwards | (Not finalised at the time of announcement) |
Coach Cabrera emphasised that combining returning veterans with emerging talents is central to strengthening team cohesion and tactical efficiency. The upcoming preparation camp is expected to sharpen the squad’s readiness, ensuring they approach the Vietnam friendly and the Singapore qualifier with a competitive edge.
These sessions will allow the players to integrate fully, refine strategies, and build mental and physical resilience for the concluding stages of the Asian Cup qualifiers.
