In the year 2024, Bangladesh football followed the familiar beats of the preceding years with a few new developments sprinkled in between.

The women's team excelled once again, winning their second successive SAFF Women's Championship title, while the men's team remained stuck in mediocrity. Age-level teams found success at SAFF level while Bashundhara Kings carried on with their domestic domination.

The change in leadership at the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) was the biggest new development at the administrative level while the demise of five members of the Swadhin Bangladesh Football team was the saddest.

The year is ending on an optimistic note with news of England-born Bangladeshi footballer Hamza Choudhury getting the green light to represent Bangladesh at the international level coming in December, something fans had long been waiting for.

Age-level teams triumph at SAFF but struggle at AFC

Bangladesh strengthened its stronghold in women's age-level football at the sub-continent level in 2024. The Under-19 team was named joint champions of the SAFF U-19 Women's Championship alongside India in February after a heated final in Dhaka that ended in a contentious manner.

This was Bangladesh's second triumph at the U-19 Women's Championship and fourth overall including the SAFF U-18 and U-20 Women's Championships. The U-16 team also lifted the title in the SAFF U-16 Women's Championship in March Bhutan in 2024.

In men's competitions, Bangladesh won its maiden SAFF U-20 Championship in Bhutan in August, while the U-17 team finished as runners-up in the SAFF U-17 Championship.

However, when competing at the AFC level, the age-level teams struggled. The men's U-17 and U-20 teams finished third among five teams in their respective Asian Cup qualifiers.

New FIFA sanctions

Last year, FIFA had dropped a bombshell on BFF when it banned the federation's general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag for two years for using falsified documents to justify payments made by the BFF with FIFA funds.

In continuation of that investigation, the global football body in May imposed fresh sanctions on Sohag, former chief financial officer Abu Hossain and former operations manager Mizanur Rahman. It also fined senior vice president Abdus Salam Murshedy, who stepped down from his post on August 9, further diminishing BFF's already dwindling reputation.

Unstoppable Kings

Bashundhara Kings won their fifth successive Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) title this year – becoming the first ever team to do so in the country's domestic football. Kings also bagged the treble in the 2023-24 season – the second Bangladeshi club to do so after Sheikh Russel KC. However, Kings again failed at the international level, losing all four of their matches in the newly introduced AFC Challenge League.

Two top flight clubs withdraw

BPL teams Sheikh Jamal DC and Sheikh Russel KC withdrew from the top-flight in the 2024-25 season, citing sponsorship crisis. Their departure reduced employment opportunities for local players. Some top footballers have also reportedly taken a pay cut this season as many clubs are dealing with financial crunch.

Sabina and Co run it back in Kathmandu

Despite a lack of practice matches and disagreements between senior players and head coach Peter Butler, Bangladesh women's team triumphed in Kathmandu once again and retained their SAFF Women's Championship in October – an unprecedented feat in Bangladesh football.

Men's team continue to disappoint

Bangladesh men's team had another forgettable year as Javier Cabrera's charges lost six off the eight matches they competed in 2024, only winning against Bhutan and Maldives. The men in red and green could score only three while conceding 15 goals in those fixtures.

Change in BFF leadership

The 16-year tenure of Kazi Salahuddin as the BFF president came to an end in October as former footballer, politician and businessman Tabith Awal got elected as the new honcho of the country's football. Tabith's ascension has sparked hopes of better days in football, however, several members of the Salahuddin-led BFF also got re-elected in the election.

Country losses five of its bravest footballers

Five members of the Swadhin Bangla Football team, which played some 16 matches across India to raise funds for the freedom fighters and to draw the world's attention during the liberation war in 1971, breathed their last in 2024. They are – captain Zakaria Pintoo, Bimal Kar, Aminul Islam Suruj, Fazle Sadain Khokon and organiser Saidur Rahman Patel.

A long-awaited homecoming

On December 19, Leicester City footballer Hamza Choudhury announced the news Bangladesh football fans had been yearning to hear for a long time, announcing that he has attained all necessary approvals and is available to represent Bangladesh in the football field. Hamza is set to be the first English Premier League player to play for Bangladesh and is expected to debut against India at the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers on March 25.

Overall, 2024 has not been devoid of success in football for Bangladesh. However, if Bangladesh want to break the pattern of only succeeding at SAFF and then falling flat on their faces at the Asian level, the country's football authorities have to ensure investment in infrastructure, coaching, and youth development, a challenge the new federation must undertake in 2025.