Bangladesh set for late lifeline in FIFA ASEAN Cup after India's exit

Bangladesh could soon get a way into the FIFA-funded ASEAN Cup, with the team having received a late invitation to the Indonesia-hosted tournament following India's withdrawal, according to various sources.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) held a special meeting of its national team committee on the afternoon of August 14, where members unanimously expressed a positive attitude towards accepting the offer. The federation is now waiting on FIFA to issue formal confirmation.

Bangladesh were not part of the original list of invitees. India had already secured a spot as a guest nation, and after China withdrew, Pakistan was given the opening instead. BFF had separately written to ASEAN requesting consideration should a place become available.

That opportunity has now arrived after India opted to withdraw in order to focus on a friendly against Brazil in Kolkata on October 3.

Should Bangladesh take India's place, Hamza Choudhury and his teammates are expected to be drawn into Group A of the Premier Division alongside hosts Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Group B features Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand and the Philippines.

One of the biggest draws for BFF is financial. Organisers will cover all travel and accommodation costs for participating teams, meaning the federation faces almost no expense in sending the squad, while participating nations will also receive financial support.

The Premier Division is set to run in Indonesia from September 24 to October 4, with eight teams split into two groups of four, while a separate Challenge Division will be staged in Hong Kong, featuring Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos and Timor-Leste.

The format guarantees involvement deep into the competition. The two group winners progress directly into the final, bypassing semi-finals altogether, while the runners-up meet for third place, the third-placed sides play for fifth, and the fourth-placed teams contest seventh. That structure means Bangladesh would play at least four matches regardless of where they finish in the group. The Premier Division champions stand to win one million US dollars.