SPORTS REPORTER

Bangladesh are set to miss out on a few international matches this year following the postponement of the next SAFF Championship to 2026.

The South Asian Football Federation’s secretariat announced the decision yesterday, citing feedback from member associations and SportFive -- the tournament’s rights holder -- that more time and preparation were required to ensure the competition’s 15th edition could be held smoothly in Sri Lanka.

The regional event, originally scheduled to take place in Colombo from 22 June to 5 July, involves seven nations: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh could have played two to three group-stage matches, and potentially two more in the semifinals and final. In the previous edition held in Bengaluru in 2023, they reached the last-four stage.Currently, the charges of Javier Cabrera are competing in the ongoing AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. They have already played one match against India and are scheduled to play four more -- against Singapore, Hong Kong, and India -- through to the end of December.

Of the four FIFA international windows available in 2025, Bangladesh will be active in three. However, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is now considering whether to utilise the September window to compensate for the missed SAFF fixtures.

This could also serve as preparation for the October window, during which Bangladesh will face Hong Kong twice in the Asian Games Qualifiers.