Bangladesh are set to add another England-based player to their national football setup, with Fulham under-21 winger Farhan Ali Wahid agreeing to represent the country alongside his younger brother Ryan Ali Wahid, BFF vice-president Fahad Karim confirmed in a video statement on social media on 26 May. The announcement marks the latest step in the Bangladesh Football Federation’s ambitious drive to recruit diaspora talent under president Tabith Awal.
The process began in the final week of April when football agent Adam Roberts, representing Farhan, contacted the BFF by email expressing interest in discussing his client’s international future. The email was forwarded to Tabith Awal, who passed it to Fahad Karim and the technical team. Initial discussions with the agent took place during the FIFA and AFC Congress in Canada, and a subsequent Zoom meeting of approximately 45 minutes was held with the players’ father, Abdul Wahid, and the family. At that meeting, the family gave their full blessing for both sons to represent Bangladesh.
“The event started last month,” Fahad Karim explained. “An agent named Adam Roberts contacted us about Farhan. After that, we had a Zoom meeting with the family and the father gave the green signal for both sons to play for Bangladesh.”
At 18, Farhan Ali Wahid is the more prominent of the two brothers and the one generating the most excitement within Bangladeshi football circles. He began at Chelsea’s youth academy before joining Fulham at the age of 12 and now plays regularly in Premier League 2 for the club’s under-21 side. His pace, ability to beat defenders and eye for goal and assists have marked him out as one of the more exciting young wide players in the English youth system.
In November last year he was named Player of the Month in Premier League 2, and he remains in contention for the season’s best player award. He scored seven goals and provided four assists in 20 matches for Fulham’s under-18 side the previous season. He signed a professional contract with Fulham last year and is widely regarded as a potential future first-team player.
Fahad Karim was emphatic in his assessment. “We could very soon see Farhan in the English Premier League itself. I firmly believe this addition will be a landmark moment for Bangladesh football.”
Ryan Ali Wahid, Farhan’s younger brother, currently plays for Woking FC as an attacking midfielder and winger, and previously helped Ashford FC win the English grassroots league. He is considered a strong prospect for Bangladesh’s age-group teams.
“Ryan is very young, right-footed and plays mainly as an attacking midfielder or winger. He could be a great addition to our under-17 or under-20 sides,” Fahad Karim said.
Passport paperwork for both brothers is expected to be completed by July, with Farhan’s senior debut targeted for the September international window and the SAFF Championship in November firmly in mind. “In the September window, we are very eager to welcome Farhan. But most importantly, for the SAFF Championship in November, we definitely want him in the squad,” Fahad Karim confirmed.
