Hamza In, Shamit Out for Bangladesh’s Nepal Clash

The Bangladesh national football team will play two friendly matches in Kathmandu, Nepal, during the September FIFA window, with their training camp officially starting today. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has included English Premier League midfielder Hamza Chowdhury in the 24-member preliminary squad but has excluded Canada-based footballer Shamit Shome due to his club commitments.

National team manager Amer Khan clarified, “Shamit has club matches in September, so he was not included in the preliminary squad for this window. Hamza Chowdhury, however, is in the squad.” Shamit, who plays for Cavalry FC in Canada, has league matches scheduled on September 6 and 14, clashing with Bangladesh’s friendlies against Nepal on September 6 and 9.

While FIFA regulations typically require clubs to release players for national duty 72 hours before matches, Shamit’s club schedule has led to his exclusion. Meanwhile, there were rumors that Hamza might also miss the friendlies. Addressing this, Khan said, “Hamza is in the coach’s 24-member preliminary squad. The BFF has already sent a letter to his club, Leicester City, and discussions are ongoing to secure his release for September.”