BFF decisions open door for nearly 100 footballers

A series of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) decisions has provided a lifeline to nearly 100 footballers, with the number of participating clubs in the 2026-27 Bangladesh Football League rising to 13 from last season’s 10.

The expansion came amid uncertainty over the professional league, with FIFA registration bans affecting several clubs and established sides withdrawing in recent seasons. The BFF eventually decided to freeze relegation from last season and promote an additional club from the Bangladesh Championship League, a move that prevented the league from shrinking further. It widened opportunities for local footballers across the country this year too.

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The need for expansion became more apparent after Sheikh Jamal DC and Sheikh Russel KC withdrew from the top flight in 2024. Their exits left a group of players, including former Bangladesh internationals Matin Mia, Masuk Mia Jonny and Biplu Ahmed, without clubs.

The latest changes have allowed Arambagh KS and Fakirerpool YMC to return to the top flight after they were originally scheduled for the second tier. Both clubs assembled their squads before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

“We have been cleared of the FIFA registration bans two days ago, but we had already decked up our squad with old and new players. We are expecting to complete the online registration formalities by today’s (Thursday) deadline,” Fakirerpool general secretary Ahmad Ali told The Daily Star.

“The decision to freeze relegation is, of course, a good decision because many players are now getting an opportunity to show their talent in the professional league,” he said.

Fakirerpool have built a low-budget squad because of financial constraints, highlighting the problems facing smaller clubs.

Arambagh vice-president Ezaz Ahmed Jahangir said his club had signed around 50 per cent new players, continuing its policy of recruiting footballers from the lower divisions.

“To be honest, the small-budget clubs are really struggling to run their clubs, so the standard of the league is also gradually going down. If the federation completes the league within a six-month timeframe, it will help both sides,” Jahangir said.

Newly promoted Chittagong City FC and Dhaka City FC have also joined the expanded league. Both clubs will play in the top flight for the first time and have assembled competitive squads.

Chittagong City acting general secretary Nazim Uddin believes the league should be expanded further.

“The number of participants should be 15 to 16 clubs. Then more local players will get the opportunity to play in the top-tier league, but the scenario is the reverse, with players struggling to find a pathway into the top tier,” said Nazim.

He estimated that the addition of three clubs had created financial opportunities for nearly 80 players, although he argued the number could have been higher if SAARC players were not treated as local players.

Former Bangladesh midfielder Jonny, who has missed the top flight for two seasons, rejected an offer from PWD SC because the financial terms were unsatisfactory.

“I am getting more financial benefit playing in my locality than what I was offered by PWD. I did not play in the BFL in the last two seasons because the offers were not satisfactory,” Jonny said.

Still, he believes the expanded league can give emerging players a valuable platform.

“I think it is time for the young players to show their talent in the top-tier league. Young players are regularly coming to Dhaka from the Sylhet region,” he said.

The expansion was largely driven by necessity, but it has prevented another contraction of the professional league and given dozens of players another opportunity to remain in competitive football.