Friday’s New League Season Begins Amid Uncertainty

The 2026-27 Bangladesh Football League (BFL) season gets underway on Friday, with clubs scrambling to complete preparations amid uncertainty, visa complications and gaps in their squads.

Defending champions Bashundhara Kings will open their title defence against Arambagh on 19 September. Coach Syed Golam Jilani said three foreign recruits are still awaiting arrival, while the club’s Nepalese players, signed under the regional quota, have already joined training.

In Gazipur, Rahmatganj will take on Police FC, with coach Kamal Babu acknowledging that his side faces a setback as their foreign recruits have yet to arrive. Police FC, however, enter the fixture with match fitness gained from their AFC Challenge League campaign.

Chandpur is set to host top-flight football for the first time, with Dhaka Wanderers and Fakirerpool Young Men's using the district as their home venue. Wanderers general secretary Mahbubur Rahman Shaheen said the club is prepared and eager for the season to get underway.

In Manikganj, Abahani will face PWD without their Nigerian recruits because of visa delays. Manager Shahid Hossain Swapon has also called on the federation to release three national-team players before they leave for international duty.

Mohammedan Sporting Club will sit out the opening fixtures while remaining embroiled in a dispute over nine players currently in the national camp. The club has asked for its matches scheduled for 25 and 29 September to be rescheduled, but the federation has yet to respond.