Bangladesh debuts in FIFA Asian Cup, final invitation to replace India

Bangladesh has got the opportunity to play in the ‘FIFA Asian Cup’, which will be organized for the first time with the countries of Southeast Asia. FIFA has officially invited Bangladesh to participate in the tournament in their place after India withdrew its name.

The tournament will be held from September 24 to October 4. The decision to participate in the ASEAN Cup was also approved in the executive meeting of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).

After the meeting, BFF media committee head Amirul Islam Babu said, ‘We received positive news from FIFA last night. We have received permission to play in the ASEAN Cup. We have already confirmed to FIFA that we will play in the ASEAN Cup.’

FIFA started communicating with Bangladesh after India withdrew from the tournament on August 13. In addition to asking about Bangladesh’s plans in the September window, the world football governing body also expressed its interest in playing in the ASEAN Cup. The official invitation came last night after the BFF responded positively.

FIFA decided to organize the ‘FIFA Asian Cup’ on the model of the Arab Cup last year. This year, it received final approval at the FIFA Congress. Along with 11 ASEAN countries, China, India and Hong Kong were invited to the tournament.

However, India withdrew its name as it planned to play friendly matches against China and Brazil as part of the preparation for the Asian Cup. Pakistan has already been taken in China's place. This time, Bangladesh will fill India's vacancy.

Bangladesh in the Premier Division in Indonesia

A total of 14 teams will participate in the FIFA Asian Cup. The competition will be held in two divisions. The Premier Division with eight teams will be held in Indonesia. The remaining six teams will play in the Challenge Division in Hong Kong.

Bangladesh has been placed in Group 'A' of the Premier Division. In this group, Bangladesh's opponents are hosts Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

The other four teams in the Premier Division are Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines and Pakistan. The top two teams in the two groups will face each other directly in the final.

New challenges in September window

Bangladesh will get a total of 16 days in the FIFA window in September-October. To utilize this time, BFF had planned to organize a four-nation tournament at home or go to Kyrgyzstan to play in a three-nation tournament.

In the end, neither of those plans had to be implemented. Instead, Bangladesh got the opportunity to play on a big international stage like the ASEAN Cup directly at the invitation of FIFA.