Hamza Choudhury to Skip Dhaka Camp, Set to Join Bangladesh Squad in Vietnam Before Singapore Qualifier
Hamza Choudhury, the England-born midfielder who now represents Bangladesh, will not join the team’s training camp in Dhaka ahead of the Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore. Instead, he will link up with the squad later in Vietnam due to club commitments in England.
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) confirmed that the Leicester City midfielder will meet the national team directly in Vietnam after finishing his club duties, a move that highlights the scheduling challenges faced by overseas-based players representing Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Begin Preparations for Singapore Match
Bangladesh are scheduled to face Singapore on 31 March in their final match of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Although the team is already out of contention for the main round, the match remains important for maintaining FIFA rankings and gaining competitive experience.
To prepare for the fixture, the national team will hold a training camp in Dhaka starting on 16 March at the Bashundhara Kings Arena. The camp will include domestic players as well as several overseas-based footballers who are expected to join the squad before departure for Vietnam.
Head coach Javier Cabrera and the national team management are using this period to assess the squad and refine tactics ahead of the upcoming international matches.
Why Hamza Will Not Attend the Dhaka Camp
Despite being included in Bangladesh’s plans for the Singapore match, Hamza Choudhury will not attend the initial training camp in Dhaka. The main reason is his ongoing club commitments in England.
Hamza’s club, Leicester City, will play their final Championship match before the international break on 21 March. After that match, he is expected to travel directly to Vietnam to join the Bangladesh squad on 22 March.
Officials from the national team management committee confirmed that the midfielder will still be available for Bangladesh’s international matches despite missing the early training sessions.
According to BFF media committee chairman Amirul Islam Babu, Hamza will participate in both the friendly match against Vietnam and the Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore.
Bangladesh’s Vietnam Friendly Before Singapore Clash
Before the Singapore qualifier, Bangladesh will play an international friendly against Vietnam on 26 March. The match is considered a key preparation fixture that will help the team test its strategies and build match fitness before the competitive qualifier.
The national team will travel from Dhaka to Vietnam on 20 March, where they will remain until 27 March. After the friendly match, the squad will head to Singapore for the final qualifying game.
Hamza Choudhury’s arrival in Vietnam will allow him to join training sessions and integrate with the squad before both matches.
Overseas-Based Players Joining the Camp
While Hamza will miss the Dhaka camp, several other overseas-based footballers are expected to join the national team in the capital.
Canadian-based midfielder Shamit Shome will arrive in Dhaka on 15 March, just one day before the training camp begins. Meanwhile, Zayyan Ahmed is scheduled to reach the country on 14 March, and Fahamedul Islam along with defender Tariq Kazi will join the camp on 16 March.
The inclusion of players from abroad reflects Bangladesh’s ongoing effort to strengthen the national team by integrating footballers with international experience.
Hamza Choudhury’s Growing Role in Bangladesh Football
Hamza Choudhury has become one of the most talked-about figures in Bangladesh football since switching his international allegiance to the country.
Born in England, he previously played youth football for England but later decided to represent Bangladesh internationally after receiving a Bangladeshi passport and FIFA clearance to switch nationality.
The defensive midfielder made his debut for Bangladesh in March 2025 and quickly became a key figure in the national team’s midfield. Known for his strong tackling, defensive awareness, and Premier League experience, Hamza’s presence has significantly raised the profile of Bangladesh football.
His involvement has also generated increased interest among fans and media, creating renewed enthusiasm around the national team.
Importance of the Singapore Match
Although Bangladesh have already been eliminated from progressing further in the Asian Cup qualifiers, the match against Singapore still carries importance.
The fixture offers several benefits for the national team:
- Improving Bangladesh’s FIFA ranking
- Providing valuable international match experience
- Testing squad depth and tactical combinations
- Preparing younger players for future tournaments
For coach Javier Cabrera, the match could also be particularly significant. Reports suggest that the Singapore fixture may be his final game in charge of the Bangladesh national team as his contract approaches its end.
The BFF has stated that a decision regarding Cabrera’s future will likely be made after the Singapore match.
Balancing Club and Country
Hamza’s delayed arrival once again highlights the balancing act faced by players competing in European leagues while representing their national teams.
Clubs typically have priority over players until the official FIFA international window begins. As a result, many overseas-based players can only join their national squads after completing club fixtures.
For Bangladesh, however, the ability to call up players like Hamza Choudhury represents a major step forward in strengthening the national team.
Looking Ahead
Despite missing the initial Dhaka camp, Hamza Choudhury is still expected to play a key role in Bangladesh’s upcoming matches.
His arrival in Vietnam will give him time to train with teammates before the friendly against Vietnam and the Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore. Fans will be eager to see how the midfielder performs as Bangladesh continue their preparations for future international competitions.
For Bangladesh football, the upcoming fixtures represent more than just results. They are part of a broader effort to build a competitive national team capable of improving its standing in Asian football.
With new talents emerging and overseas-based players joining the squad, Bangladesh hopes to use these matches as a stepping stone toward stronger performances in future tournaments.
