Football excitement in Bangladesh never seems to fade, no matter how far the national team remains from the FIFA World Cup. Every big tournament proves how strong that passion is. The world saw it clearly during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, when Bangladeshi fans filled the streets with colour, flags, and joy. Many people even felt as if Bangladesh were playing in the event themselves. The noise grew louder around Argentina and Brazil matches, showing once again how deeply the country loves the sport.
But when the conversation turns to Bangladesh actually playing in the World Cup, the picture changes. The team still finds it hard to move past the early rounds of the AFC Asian Cup and World Cup qualifiers. Because of those struggles, the dream of reaching the world stage remains distant for Javier Cabrera’s group.
Even so, a hint of optimism surfaced recently. FIFA president Gianni Infantino shared warm words for Bangladesh while attending the Under-17 FIFA World Cup final in Doha. Portugal won that match 1-0 against Austria at the Khalifa International Stadium, and Infantino watched the action from the stands.
A young Bangladeshi volunteer, Abzal Rahman, worked at the tournament. In a video he recorded, Infantino said, “Go forward Bangladesh. I am waiting to see you in the World Cup.” His message brought smiles to many fans back home.
Reaching the World Cup will still take serious progress, and it may take many years. Whether Bangladesh can qualify one day remains a question in football discussions. But the country’s devotion to the game is never in doubt, and that passion continues to keep the dream alive.
