FIFA president Gianni Infantino has signalled renewed support for the development of football in Bangladesh following a brief two-hour stopover in Dhaka. During the visit, he expressed his intention to return to the country soon and highlighted plans to establish a training centre and football academy in the southern region, alongside development initiatives in other parts of the country.
The remarks have raised hopes of further investment in football infrastructure, grassroots development and player training. In a video message shared on the Bangladesh Football Federation’s (BFF) Facebook page, Infantino said that, despite the short duration of his latest visit, discussions were under way with BFF president Tabith Awal about a return to Bangladesh.
“This visit was very short, but we will have to come back very soon. We are discussing this with the president. There are some great projects for a training centre and an academy in the southern part of the country. There are also projects in other parts of the country,” Infantino said.
Describing Bangladesh as a large nation with a strong passion for football, the FIFA chief reiterated his willingness to work with the BFF to make a greater contribution to the sport’s development.
“As you know, Bangladesh is a huge country and a football-loving country. Of course, I will come back. We want to work together to make an even bigger impact on football development, and we are looking at possible dates for a return very soon,” he added.
Brief Stopover Leads to Discussions on Football Development
Infantino arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka yesterday afternoon while travelling from Morocco to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. As there was no direct flight available to his destination, Dhaka served as a transit point for the FIFA president.
Tabith Awal welcomed him at the airport, where the two held a brief courtesy meeting. Several members of the BFF executive committee and federation officials were also present.
Despite the limited time available, the discussions focused on several key areas of cooperation, including the use of FIFA Forward funding, improvements to football infrastructure and the expansion of grassroots football across Bangladesh.
The FIFA Forward programme provides financial and development support to member associations for projects intended to strengthen football at national and local levels. Depending on the applicable requirements and approvals, such support can help associations develop facilities, improve administrative capacity and expand opportunities for players.
For Bangladesh, effective use of these resources could be particularly significant in addressing infrastructure gaps and creating better training opportunities for young footballers.
Stadium Renovation and Training Facilities on the Agenda
According to information provided by the BFF, the federation has already received responsibility from the government for 15 acres of land and two stadiums. These assets are expected to form part of the broader effort to improve football facilities and expand development opportunities.
Several infrastructure projects are also being planned with FIFA funding. They include stadium renovations, the installation of floodlights, the construction of a technical centre and the development of a hybrid pitch in Sylhet.
If implemented successfully, the projects could improve the quality and availability of training and competition facilities. Floodlights would allow selected venues to host matches and training sessions in the evening, while a technical centre could provide a dedicated environment for coaching, player development and football-related training activities.
A hybrid pitch in Sylhet could also contribute to improving playing conditions and the usability of the facility. However, the benefits of these investments will depend not only on construction but also on effective management, regular maintenance and sustained use.
The BFF’s challenge will be to ensure that the planned facilities serve a clear developmental purpose, particularly by supporting youth football, coaching programmes and competitive opportunities beyond the country’s established football centres.
Southern Academy Could Expand Opportunities for Young Players
The proposed training centre and academy in southern Bangladesh emerged as one of the most notable elements of Infantino’s message.
Expanding football development beyond the capital could help identify and nurture talented players from regions where access to specialised coaching and modern facilities may be limited. Young footballers often need structured training, qualified coaches, regular competition and appropriate facilities to progress towards higher levels of the game.
A properly managed academy could help bring these elements together. Age-group training, technical instruction, physical conditioning and regular assessment of players’ progress are among the components that can support long-term development.
Regional facilities could also help the BFF build a broader talent-identification network, allowing promising players to receive training closer to their communities rather than relying entirely on opportunities concentrated in major urban centres.
Nevertheless, Infantino did not disclose the proposed locations, estimated costs, funding arrangements or implementation timetable for the southern academy and training centre. The projects therefore remain plans under discussion, rather than completed or formally scheduled developments.
Further details from FIFA and the BFF will be needed to establish when construction might begin, how the facilities will be financed and how they will be managed once operational.
Earlier Jakarta Meeting Set the Stage
Infantino’s latest remarks followed an earlier meeting with Tabith Awal in Jakarta, Indonesia, at the beginning of the month, on the sidelines of the FIFA ASEAN Cup.
The discussions covered men’s and women’s football in Bangladesh, age-group competitions, infrastructure development and FIFA’s various development programmes. Continued FIFA assistance for the country’s football sector was also a key subject.
The meeting reflected the BFF’s efforts to maintain engagement with FIFA and secure support for projects that could strengthen the domestic game.
Awal had previously indicated that Infantino was prepared to visit Bangladesh for the formal inauguration of development projects once tangible progress had been made. The FIFA president’s latest message from Dhaka has renewed expectations of such a visit, although no date has yet been confirmed.
For the BFF, the priority will be to translate discussions and funding plans into practical improvements. Modern facilities can create better conditions for development, but their long-term value depends on whether players, coaches and local football organisations can access and use them effectively.
FIFA Presidential Election Was Not Discussed, Says Awal
Infantino is seeking a third term as FIFA president in the election scheduled for March next year. However, Awal said the subject did not feature in their discussions during the Dhaka stopover.
Asked by journalists whether they had discussed the forthcoming election or Bangladesh’s position, the BFF president said their conversation had focused on football development rather than electoral or political matters.
Awal explained that the federation was waiting for the nomination process to progress before determining its position. He pointed to 18 November as the deadline for prospective candidates to submit their nomination forms and said the BFF would assess the situation after the candidates had been established.
He also stressed the importance of continuing the federation’s work under the existing football administration and completing the necessary tasks before the end of 2026.
The remarks suggest that the BFF intends to keep its immediate attention on development priorities while the FIFA electoral process moves forward. Any decision regarding its position in the presidential election will depend on subsequent developments, according to Awal’s comments.
Turning Promises into Tangible Progress
Infantino’s brief stopover has put several potential developments back in the spotlight, particularly the proposed southern training centre and academy, as well as planned improvements to stadiums and technical facilities.
For Bangladesh, the opportunity lies in building a more comprehensive football development system that reaches beyond the national team and established clubs. Better infrastructure, consistent coaching and stronger grassroots programmes could help create a wider pathway for young players to progress.
The proposed projects could contribute to that objective, provided they receive the necessary approvals, funding and administrative support. Clear implementation schedules and effective oversight will also be essential if the plans are to deliver lasting benefits.
Although Infantino has expressed his intention to return to Bangladesh, the timing of his next visit remains uncertain. For now, the focus will be on whether the discussions between FIFA and the BFF lead to concrete decisions and measurable progress.
The latest message offers encouragement to Bangladesh’s football community. The real test, however, will be turning that encouragement into facilities, opportunities and a stronger foundation for the country’s future generations of footballers.
