Bangladesh national football team coach Javier Cabrera has returned to Dhaka after a long break, only to face an unexpected obstacle as the Bangladesh Football League remains delayed.
Cabrera, 41, had returned to Spain following the national side’s Asian Cup qualifier against India on 18 November 2025. He arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday with plans to monitor league matches in person and finalise the squad for upcoming away fixtures against Vietnam on 26 March and Singapore on 31 March. However, the postponement of the league has disrupted these plans.
According to Bangladesh Football Federation (BAFUE) sources, Cabrera was initially informed that the league would start this week, prompting him to travel back. He had not received the latest update about the delay, leaving him with little choice but to wait before making further squad decisions.
Bangladesh’s next two matches are away fixtures, and the team plans to hold a pre-match camp in Vietnam at least a week before the first game. The extended league hiatus has limited opportunities to assess players’ match fitness and recent form, raising concerns over preparation.
Top clubs, including Bashundhara Kings, have yet to resume training, adding to the uncertainty. With Vietnam and Singapore as formidable opponents, the national team cannot afford gaps in preparation. If the league had run several rounds, Cabrera could have evaluated players’ current form to help finalise the squad. As it stands, the league committee has not released a clear schedule, forcing reliance on pre-break performances for selection.
