Bangladesh Announce a Strong 16-Member Squad for SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship

Bangladesh have officially unveiled a powerful 16-member squad for the forthcoming SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship, signalling a long-awaited return to the international futsal stage for the women’s team. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) announced the squads for both the women’s and men’s futsal teams on Tuesday, 23 December, ahead of the regional tournaments set to be held in Thailand.

The SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship will commence on 13 January, followed by the men’s tournament on 14 January. While both announcements have drawn interest, the women’s squad has captured particular attention due to the return of seasoned captain Sabina Khatun, whose leadership has been central to Bangladesh’s past successes.

Sabina, the long-serving captain of the Bangladesh women’s national football team, has remained out of the national setup since the players’ revolt linked to former head coach Peter Butler. Her reappointment as captain of the futsal team therefore carries both sporting and symbolic significance. It reflects the federation’s renewed confidence in her leadership qualities, experience, and ability to guide the team through a challenging international competition.

The final squad is a carefully balanced mix of experience, resilience, and comeback stories. Among those selected is Marzia, a key member of Bangladesh’s victorious SAFF Women’s Championship team in 2022. Her inclusion adds valuable winning experience to the squad. Also making a notable return is Misrat Jahan Mousumi, who has been absent from the national scene for a considerable period. Her recall highlights the selectors’ willingness to reward persistence and strong domestic performances.

However, the selection process has not been without disappointment for some. Despite being part of the preliminary squad, Unnati Khatun, Nasrin Akhter, and Sejuti Islam Smriti failed to secure places in the final list, underlining the competitive nature of the squad selection.

Bangladesh last competed in an international women’s futsal tournament in 2018, when they took part in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers. That campaign was also led by Sabina Khatun. Seven years later, her return as captain marks a sense of continuity and renewed ambition as the team looks to re-establish itself on the regional stage.

On the men’s side, the squad announcement was largely expected, with no major surprises. Canada-based expatriate Rahbar Khan, who captained Bangladesh during the AFC Futsal qualifiers in Indonesia, has retained the armband. One of the more intriguing additions is England-based expatriate player Eman Alam, seen as a promising inclusion who could strengthen the team’s attacking options.

Overall, the women’s futsal squad represents a fresh chapter for Bangladesh, blending experience, leadership, and renewed opportunity as the nation steps back onto the international futsal platform.

Bangladesh Women’s Futsal Squad (SAFF Championship)