Shamit Shome Receives First Call-Up to Bangladesh’s Preliminary Squad for Singapore Clash

Canada-based midfielder Shamit Shome has earned his first call-up to the Bangladesh national football team, as the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on Wednesday announced a 26-man preliminary squad for upcoming fixtures against Bhutan and Singapore. The squad is set to compete in a FIFA Tier-1 international friendly on June 4 and an AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier on June 10, both at Dhaka’s National Stadium.

Shome, currently playing for Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League, recently secured a Bangladeshi visa and received FIFA clearance to switch his international allegiance. The 27-year-old, who previously represented Canada at youth level, joins a growing list of foreign-born players brought into the national fold under Spanish head coach Javier Cabrera.

His selection follows the recent debut of Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury, who has Bangladeshi heritage and remains a central figure in the squad’s midfield.

Also joining the squad is 18-year-old forward Fahmedul Islam, rewarded for his standout performances in domestic competitions. He arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday ahead of the training camp starting May 30 and is among six forwards called up, reflecting Cabrera’s focus on strengthening the attack.

Notably absent is Sunderland U-21 player Cuba Mitchell, who had been in discussions for a potential switch to Bangladesh. Despite ongoing interest, he was not included in the squad.

The final squad will be trimmed closer to the matches.

Bangladesh 26-member Preliminary Squad
Goalkeepers: Mitul Marma, Md Sujon Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Srabon
Defenders: Md Shakil Ahad Topu, Md Jahid Hasan Shanto, Md Rahmat Mia, Md Isa Favsal, Taj Uddin, Tariq Raihan Kazi, Topu Barman, Md Saad Uddin
Midfielders: Md Ridoy, Syed Shah Quazem Kirmanee, Sohel Rana, Md Mojibor Rahman Jony, Sheikh Morsalin, Jamal Bhuyan, Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome
Forwards: Fahmedul Islam, Md Foysal Ahmed Fahim, Rakib Hossain, Md Sahariar Emon, Mohammad Ibrahim, Al Amin, Sumon Reza