Bangladesh still has a chance to play in the Asian Cup, but the road won’t be easy. This article explains the steps they need to take, how the qualifiers work, and what fans can expect in the coming matches.
Bangladesh Aims for 2027 Asian Cup After Long Wait
Bangladesh is dreaming big! After 47 years, the country wants to return to the main stage of the AFC Asian Cup. Their last appearance was in 1980. Now, with new energy and some overseas-born players, fans are hopeful. Can Hamza Chowdhury and the team make it to the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia?
What Bangladesh Needs to Do
Bangladesh is now in the third round of the qualifiers. To qualify, they must win their group. This round doesn’t include Asia’s strongest teams they’ve already qualified. But even then, tiger must beat teams that are ranked higher than them.
Here’s how the FIFA rankings look:
| Team | FIFA Ranking |
|---|---|
| India | 127 |
| Hong Kong | 153 |
| Singapore | 161 |
| Bangladesh | 183 |
Still, Bangladesh showed they can fight. In March 2024, they drew 0–0 with India, who were ranked much higher.
How the Asian Cup Qualifiers Work
A total of 24 teams will play in the 2027 Asian Cup. Here’s how qualification works:
- 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia qualifies automatically as the host.
- 18 teams already qualified through the World Cup qualifiers (Rounds 1 & 2).
- The remaining 6 teams will come from the third round.
In this third round:
- 24 teams are split into 6 groups.
- Only the group winners will qualify for the Asian Cup.
Bangladesh’s Road to the Third Round
First Round vs Maldives:
| Match | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| First Leg (Male) | 12 Oct 2023 | 1–1 Draw |
| Second Leg (Dhaka) | 17 Oct 2023 | 2–1 Win (3–2 on aggregate) |
Second Round Performance (Group I):
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Nov 2022 | Australia | Melbourne | 0–7 L |
| 21 Nov 2022 | Lebanon | Dhaka | 1–1 D |
| 21 Mar 2024 | Palestine | Kuwait City | 0–5 L |
| 26 Mar 2024 | Palestine | Dhaka | 0–1 L |
| 6 Jun 2024 | Australia | Dhaka | 0–2 L |
| 11 Jun 2024 | Lebanon | Al Rayyan (Qatar) | 0–4 L |
What’s Next for Bangladesh?
Bangladesh is now in Group C with India, Hong Kong, and Singapore. After two goalless draws in March, all four teams have 1 point each.
Remaining Fixtures:
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 10 June 2025 | Singapore | Dhaka |
| 9 Oct 2025 | Hong Kong | Dhaka |
| 14 Oct 2025 | Hong Kong | Hong Kong |
| 18 Nov 2025 | India | Dhaka |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Singapore | Singapore |
Bangladesh has a real shot this time. If they stay focused and united, they might just turn this 47-year dream into reality.