Bangladesh U-20 national football team kicked off their SAFF U-20 Championship 2026 preparations with a first-day training session at the Shams-ul-Huda Football Academy in Jashore on Saturday, setting the early tone for a long road to Maldives. The camp marks the formal start of Bangladesh’s build-up for the regional tournament. The coaching staff want structure early rather than panic later.
The camp began with 15 players as selectors chose control over numbers. Footballers from Bashundhara Kings and PWD Sports Club will join later in the evening, while others will arrive in phases. The federation also plan to integrate expatriate players as the camp develops.
The tournament will feature Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and hosts Maldives. Sunday’s draw in Bangkok placed Bangladesh in Group B alongside India and Pakistan. It guarantees early pressure and leaves no room for warm-up games.
Bangladesh understand this terrain. They will not chase possession blindly and invite counters. Instead, they will rely on compact defensive spacing and quick vertical transitions, the same formula that delivered the title in 2024.
History sharpens both expectation and belief. India won the inaugural U-20 crown in 2022 and still dominate youth silverware across age groups. Bangladesh, though, learned how to manage knockout stress in 2024 and now trust their process rather than fear the badge.
Squad members:
Md Ismail Hossain Mahin, S P Rafiz, Md Nahidul Islam, Raj Chowdury and Md Tasin Saheb. Md Yousuf Ali, Md Abdul Riyad Fahim, Ashikur Rahman, Md Ikramul Islam, Md Mithu Chowdhury, Md Sharif Uddin Nirob, Sheikh Sangram, Md Sifat Sahariar, Md Siam Omit, Salah Uddin Sahed, Sani Das, Ihsan Habib Riduan and Md Sabbir Islam form the defensive core. Chandon Roy, Samuel Raksam, Md Ratul Hassan, Md Kamal Merdha, Nazmul Huda Faysal, Mohammad Shofiq Rahman, Shawon Ritchil, Md Mursed Ali, Sree Sumon Soren, Md Manik, Md Rifat Kazi, Md Opu Rahman, Ashik and Md Joy Ahamed.
