Bangladesh are set to take India's place at the FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia after the Bangladesh Football Federation's National Teams Committee (NTC) unanimously agreed to accept a late invitation from organisers, with formal confirmation from FIFA now awaited.

The NTC met on the afternoon of 14 August specifically to discuss the offer, which arrived after India withdrew from the tournament to focus on preparations for a friendly against Brazil in Kolkata on 3 October.

BFF executive committee member Sayed Hasan Kanon said president Tabith Awal had called an emergency meeting to weigh the offer against an alternative plan to host a four-nation tournament in Dhaka instead.

"Suddenly the president called us for an emergency meeting. He asked whether Bangladesh should play in the FIFA ASEAN Cup or whether we should organise this tournament ourselves. We said, why organise a tournament ourselves? We should play in this FIFA ASEAN Cup."

Kanon, a former national goalkeeper, said the financial terms made the decision straightforward, with organisers covering travel and accommodation for every participating team and offering additional participation money on top.

"They will provide all the facilities, they will give participation money, and Bangladesh will get to play against very good teams. This is a huge opportunity. It would not be right to let such an opportunity slip away. The president sought our approval, and we have given it. Confirmed."

Bangladesh had not featured on the tournament's original guest list. India had already claimed a place, and Pakistan were added after China withdrew, with the BFF separately writing to ASEAN to request consideration should any further spot open up.

Kanon added that the move fits into Bangladesh's broader preparations for the upcoming SAFF Championship, given the calibre of opposition on offer.

"We unanimously gave our opinion to take part in the FIFA ASEAN Cup as part of the Bangladesh team's preparation for the upcoming SAFF Championship, as Bangladesh will face better opponents."

He confirmed the BFF would now move ahead with the formalities required to lock in Bangladesh's place, including sending a formal acceptance letter to the tournament organisers.

Should the switch be finalised, Hamza Chowdhury and his teammates would join hosts Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore in Group A of the Premier Division, while Group B features Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand and the Philippines.

The Premier Division runs in Indonesia from 24 September to 4 October, with a separate Challenge Division held in Hong Kong featuring Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos and Timor-Leste.

The format ensures Bangladesh would play at least four matches regardless of how they fare in the group stage.

Group winners advance directly to the final without semi-finals, runners-up meet for third place, third-placed sides play for fifth, and fourth-placed teams contest seventh, with the Premier Division champions collecting a prize of one million US dollars.