Canada-born midfielder Shamit Shome has officially been cleared by FIFA to represent Bangladesh, with the 27-year-old now in line to feature in next month’s crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Singapore in Dhaka.
Shome, who plays his club football for Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League, finalized his switch after completing a series of administrative and eligibility processes over recent weeks. He received his Bangladeshi e-passport on Monday and had earlier been granted a birth registration certificate by the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on April 22. The Canadian Soccer Association provided its clearance on Friday, paving the way for FIFA’s swift approval — which remarkably came within 24 hours of BFF’s official application.
BFF vice-president Fahad Karim confirmed the development on Tuesday. “It’s surprising but very welcome that FIFA acted this quickly,” Karim told a local news platform. “Shamit’s case was relatively straightforward since the two matches he played for Canada fell outside the FIFA window, and his parents are of Bangladeshi origin. This helped smooth the process.”
Karim also credited BFF president Tabith Awal for maintaining close contact with FIFA’s relevant departments, which facilitated the rapid clearance.
Shome, who was born in Edmonton, had earlier expressed interest in representing Bangladesh in early April — just weeks after Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury made his debut for the South Asian nation in a friendly against India on March 25. His addition could be a significant boost for head coach Javier Cabrera, who is finalizing his squad for the high-stakes third-round qualifier against Singapore on June 10.
Shome is expected to fly to Dhaka shortly after completing his club commitments on June 1. With experience in Major League Soccer (MLS) and a solid record in the Canadian top flight, he is seen as a potential asset in Bangladesh’s midfield setup, which has been in transition following a series of underwhelming performances in regional competitions.
If selected, he would become the second foreign-born footballer to feature for Bangladesh this year — an encouraging trend for the BFF, which is actively seeking to strengthen the national team by integrating eligible diaspora talent. For Shome, this marks the beginning of a new international chapter — one that could help shape Bangladesh’s bid for a place in the 2027 Asian Cup.