The year 2025 flew by, leaving behind a trail of drama, breakthroughs, and controversy in Bangladeshi football. From player revolts to historic qualifications and fan movements, Asia cup it was a year that reshaped the game at home and abroad.
Women Footballers’ Revolt Shakes the System
The year began with an unprecedented rebellion in women’s football. On January 30, 18 national team players — including stars like Sabina Khatun, Krishna Rani, Sanjida Akter, and Rituparna Chakma — refused to play under head coach Peter Butler. The footballers submitted a written complaint, prompting the federation to form a special investigation committee.
BFF President Tabith Awal held multiple meetings with both sides before tensions eased. While Rituparna returned to the squad, five senior players — Sabina, Krishna, Masura, Sanjida, and Sumaiya — were left out and later shifted toward futsal.
“It was a difficult situation, but dialogue helped us move forward,” a federation official said.
Historic Year: Two Women’s Asia Cups Secured
Despite the early turmoil, 2025 delivered historic milestones. Bangladesh qualified for both the senior and U-20 Women’s Asia Cups for the first time in the same year.
In a stunning result, Bangladesh defeated higher-ranked Myanmar 2-1 in the qualifiers, with Rituparna Chakma scoring both goals. The U-20 team followed up by reaching the AFC tournament as one of the best runners-up after strong performances in Laos, following their SAFF U-20 title win in Dhaka.
The success lifted Bangladesh 24 places to 104th in the FIFA rankings, the first time the country’s name appeared in a FIFA ranking headline.
Hamza’s Arrival Ignites Football Fever
One of the defining moments of 2025 was the arrival of Premier League midfielder Hamza Chowdhury. His debut against India in March sparked massive fan interest, with tickets selling out within minutes for multiple matches Asia Cup.
Soon after, former Canada international Samit Som joined the national setup, further boosting excitement. Stadiums filled, but concerns over ticket distribution and management followed.
“Hamza and Samit have taken Bangladesh football to another level,” a supporter said.
Protests, Coaching Controversy, and Futsal Revival
Fan unrest dominated much of the year. Supporters protested against head coach Javier Cabrera over tactical decisions and squad selections, especially involving expatriate midfielder Fahmidul Islam. Even federation officials publicly questioned Cabrera’s role after defeats, yet he remained in charge.
Meanwhile, futsal saw a revival. Bangladesh qualified for the Asian Futsal Championship for the first time, while the women’s futsal team returned after a seven-year absence, backed by an Iranian coaching staff.
Domestic Football: Glory, Bans and Broken Promises
Dhaka Mohammedan finally ended a 22-year title drought by winning the Premier League, though licensing issues kept them out of AFC competitions. FIFA bans hit multiple clubs, including Bashundhara Kings, Abahani, and Mohammedan, due to unpaid dues.
Despite increased sponsorships and long-term commercial deals, grassroots football stagnated. Lower divisions remained inactive, pitches deteriorated, and broadcast quality drew heavy criticism.
The year ended with controversy over prize money: women’s champions still await promised bonuses, while Bangladesh’s historic win over India earned a ₹2 crore reward.
“2025 gave us hope, but also showed how much work remains,” a former national coach remarked.
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