The arrival of Premier League star Hamza Choudhury in Bangladesh’s national football squad has ignited fresh excitement—not just among fans but also among expatriate players eager to follow in his footsteps.

With a growing number of Bangladeshi-origin footballers abroad, the question now is: Are more players ready to don the green and red jersey?

Since Hamza’s high-profile debut, interest from overseas players has surged. According to Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Vice President Fahad Karim, 32 Bangladeshi-origin footballers from 13 countries have formally expressed interest in representing Bangladesh.

Among them are several promising talents:

England: Karim Hassan Smith, Ilman Matin, and Ashiqur Rahman

France: Farhan Mahmud

Canada: Nabid Ahmed

USA: Amir Sami

One of the most anticipated prospects is Canadian midfielder Samit Som, who has played for both Canada’s youth and senior teams. The BFF is working to secure FIFA clearance for him, as he is currently the only player under serious consideration for the senior squad.

In a bid to streamline the selection process, the BFF has announced a three-day trial in Dhaka, starting June 25. This initiative is primarily aimed at strengthening the youth squads, with the hope that some of these players could make their way into the senior team.

Spearheading the search for talent is Denmark-based volunteer Sakib Mahmud, who has been actively identifying eligible players through social media and other networks.

Can Bangladesh Secure Samit Before the Asian Cup Qualifier?

While five players have already arrived for youth team trials, Samit remains the only expatriate currently being considered for the senior team. The BFF is racing against time to finalise his inclusion before the June 10 Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore in Dhaka.

With more players lining up to follow Hamza’s path, Bangladesh football could be on the verge of a new era—one that sees a stronger, more diverse national team on the global stage.

Source: UNB