Arham Islam, who played for Bangladesh during the AFC Under-17 qualifying tournament in Cambodia in November 2024, has been named in Australia’s final under-20 squad for a three nation series in Japan later this month. The Australian born forward became the first overseas based footballer to represent a Bangladesh age group side, and his rapid elevation has raised fresh questions about whether he will be available for Bangladesh in the future.
Australia will face Japan’s under-20s, Spain’s under-20s and a Japanese club side during the mid December series. The squad features 20 players, 13 of whom are awaiting their junior international debuts. Arham, who plays for Western United, is among those newcomers after appearing for Australia in a recent FIFA under-20 tournament.
Jahid Hasan Emily, Bangladesh’s manager during the AFC Under-17 qualifiers and a former national team captain, described the news as both a source of pride and a reminder of a missed opportunity. “It is a matter of great pride that a Bangladeshi will play for the Australia junior team,” Emily said. “Under-20, then under-23, then the senior team. With his quality he can reach the Australia senior side one day. The disappointing thing is that although he started with Bangladesh under-17, given the reality we might not get him again.”
Arham impressed in Cambodia, yet he was not called for Bangladesh’s under-19 or under-23 qualifiers over the past year. Emily admitted frustration. “I do not know whether the federation kept contact with Arham or his family,” he said. “He could have been called for the under-23s or other tournaments. His family gave Bangladesh first priority, that is why he played for the under-17s. After that the federation should have handled his case with care, because he is an excellent player.”
Saiful Bari Titu, Bangladesh Football Federation’s technical director, coached the under-17 side in Cambodia and later took charge of the under-23s, a squad that did not include Arham and prompted significant debate at the time. With Arham now in Australia’s under-20 squad, his international future appears uncertain. Titu said the federation has maintained contact with Arham and his father, although it remains unclear whether that will be enough to bring him back into the Bangladesh fold.
