For decades, the FIFA World Cup has transformed Bangladesh into a battleground of international football loyalties.
Rooftops across the country, particularly in Old Dhaka, were draped with flags of Argentina, Brazil, Germany, and other football powerhouses, reflecting the immense passion of Bangladeshi supporters despite the national team’s absence from the global stage.
But as the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, a subtle yet intriguing shift appears to be taking place.
The emergence of foreign-based footballers such as Hamza Choudhury and Shamit Shome has not only elevated the quality of Bangladesh’s national team but also reignited interest in supporting the red and green jersey itself.
The inclusion of English Premier League–experienced midfielder Hamza Choudhury has dramatically transformed perceptions of Bangladesh football. According to Transfermarkt valuations, Bangladesh overnight became the most valuable national team in South Asia, with Hamza playing a key role in that rise.
His arrival generated unprecedented excitement. Tickets for his first home appearance sold out rapidly—a stark contrast to recent years when even major matches often failed to fill stadiums.
The enthusiasm intensified further when Canada-based midfielder Shamit Shome and Italy-based Fahamedul Islam joined the national setup. Fans gathered at stadiums eight to ten hours before kickoff, creating scenes rarely witnessed in Bangladeshi football.
Having played in the English Premier League—widely regarded as the world’s most competitive football competition—Hamza had already generated anticipation among Bangladeshi supporters for years before officially representing the country.
His impact extended far beyond the pitch.
Whether in packed stadiums, in front of television screens, or across social media platforms, Hamza’s presence has worked like magic. For many supporters, Bangladesh finally has a football icon they can proudly call their own.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks the first World Cup cycle since Bangladesh’s national team was strengthened by the arrivals of Hamza and Shamit. It also coincides with the tournament’s historic expansion to 48 teams—the largest format in World Cup history.
Traditionally, Bangladeshi football fans have demonstrated their World Cup passion by hoisting massive national flags of their favourite teams atop buildings and along streets.
However, as of June 5, the number of World Cup flags visible across parts of the capital appears significantly lower than in previous editions.
Residents suggest that the numbers may increase as the tournament draws nearer. Nevertheless, the early decline raises an interesting question: is the reduced display of World Cup allegiances linked to the growing prominence of Bangladesh’s own national team?
Another factor may be the changing landscape of global football superstardom.
Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Cristiano Ronaldo have long dominated Bangladeshi football fandom. However, Messi’s move to Major League Soccer in the United States, Neymar’s return to Brazil, and Ronaldo’s switch to Saudi Arabia have taken them away from Europe’s elite competitions that traditionally captivated local audiences.
Could Hamza’s emergence in the Bangladesh jersey be gradually shifting supporters’ emotional investment from foreign nations toward their own national team?
A visit to Old Dhaka—traditionally one of the epicentres of World Cup celebrations, where rooftops were once covered with countless flags—revealed an unexpected sight six days before the tournament’s kickoff: not a single World Cup flag in view.
The changing football landscape in Bangladesh extends beyond the men’s senior team.
Bangladesh women’s football has enjoyed remarkable success at the regional level in recent years. After securing the country’s maiden SAFF Women’s Championship title in 2022, the women’s team successfully defended their crown in 2024 and later qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup finals for the first time in history.
On both occasions following their SAFF triumphs, the players received hero’s welcomes, including open-top bus parades through the capital.
The celebrations attracted not only traditional football followers but also casual supporters and people from various sections of society who rarely engaged with the sport.
At the time this report was filed, they were chasing a hat-trick title against India in the 2026 final.
Did the country’s World Cup fans wait for the Tigresses to finish the final before taking the flags to rooftops, windows, walls, breezes, trees, and streets?
Bangladesh’s age-group teams have also contributed to the sport’s growing popularity.
The men’s Under-20 team won the SAFF U-20 Championship in 2024 by defeating Nepal 4–1 in the final in Bhutan. They successfully retained the title in 2026, overcoming arch-rivals India 4–3 in a dramatic penalty shootout in the Maldives.
Their achievements were similarly celebrated with receptions and open-bus parades in Dhaka.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s women’s Under-16 and Under-19 teams also captured their respective SAFF age-group titles, underlining the country’s growing strength across multiple levels of football.
Taken together, these achievements signal a significant rise in Bangladesh football.
The question now is whether this newfound confidence and attachment to the national team is reshaping the country’s traditional World Cup culture.