Bangladesh women’s football team has confirmed two friendly matches against Thailand in October as part of their build-up to the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The fixtures mark the first step in a busy preparation schedule that also includes an extended training camp in Japan.
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) revealed that both the senior national side and the under-20 women’s team will travel to Thailand for the games, scheduled for 25 and 28 October. Speaking at the BFF headquarters on Tuesday, women’s wing chief Mahfuza Akter Kiron described the trip as “the beginning of a historic mission.”
“Two matches in Thailand are confirmed. We are also planning a tri-nation tournament in Dhaka during the November window. Invitations have already been sent to several countries including Vietnam,” she said.
Following the Thailand trip, the players will head straight to Japan for three weeks of intensive training. Unlike the Thailand leg, the Japan stay will focus entirely on practice rather than competition. Kiron added that further matches are also being discussed, with potential fixtures in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia or even New Zealand.
The excitement around the programme reflects the unique moment in Bangladesh women’s football. For the first time, both the senior and under-20 women’s sides have qualified for the Asian Cup, a milestone that has heightened the urgency of preparations. Kiron explained, “This is where the road to the Asian Cup truly begins for Bangladesh.”
Bangladesh’s rise has not gone unnoticed abroad. The latest FIFA rankings placed the women’s team at 103rd, the highest jump of any nation, earning special mention in FIFA’s official report. Interest in playing Bangladesh has grown, although Kiron admitted that arranging matches still often relies on personal connections with foreign officials.
The preparations were initially planned for September, but the arrival of new head coach Peter has slightly delayed the start. The formal camp will begin in mid-September at either Bashundhara Kings Arena or the national stadium, though the BFF complex will not host training.
Financially, the project carries a significant budget running into several crores of taka. Kiron, however, dismissed concerns. “I have already spoken with BFF President Tabith Awal. He has assured us that there will be no financial problems,” she confirmed.
Domestically, the women’s league has remained inconsistent in recent years, but BFF has announced that the next edition will begin in mid-December. Licensing procedures are ongoing and top-tier clubs have been invited to field women’s teams, with at least one leading private institution also showing interest.
Nearly ten months into Tabith Awal’s leadership, the women’s football committee is still not fully formed, leaving Kiron to shoulder most of the responsibility. Her regular media briefings have become the primary source of updates on the project.
For Bangladesh, October’s matches in Thailand will be more than just friendlies. They symbolise the start of a journey that could reshape the landscape of women’s football in the country. With both the senior and under-20 teams sharing the stage for the first time, the campaign promises to be as historic as it is ambitious.