Dhaka: Bangladesh is set to make its mark on the international stage by hosting an AFC Asian Cup qualifying match between Afghanistan and Myanmar on November 18. This significant event will take place in Dhaka, marking a milestone as Bangladesh becomes a neutral home venue for such matches.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bangladesh and India will also compete at the National Stadium on the same day, with Afghanistan playing their home match against Myanmar at this venue. The match is likely to be held at the Bashundhara Kings Arena, which is the only other AFC-certified venue currently available in Bangladesh.
This development is the first of its kind for Bangladesh, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Bangladeshi football. Previously, the Afghanistan Football Federation requested the Bangladesh Football Federation to host their home match. With the approval of the Asian Football Confederation, the match was finalized to take place in Dhaka.
Bangladesh's successful bid to host this match underscores its growing reputation in South Asia as a country with the necessary infrastructure, security, and management capabilities to host international football events. Similar to countries in the Middle East, Bangladesh has now achieved full capacity to host international matches.