The possibility of Brazil playing a historic international friendly in Bangladesh moved a step closer after a five-member delegation from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) arrived in Dhaka and held talks with Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) officials.
The Brazilian delegation, which arrived in the capital on Sunday, went directly from the airport to the National Stadium. Their main objective was to assess whether Dhaka could provide the facilities and logistical arrangements required to host the five-time world champions.
The delegation inspected the National Stadium's pitch, dressing rooms, stands, media facilities and other matchday infrastructure. They also visited Bashundhara Kings Arena before meeting BFF president Tabith Awal later in the day.
According to the BFF, the Brazilian officials were generally satisfied with the quality of the National Stadium pitch and the work carried out to prepare the venue. However, they also identified areas that would require further improvement, including technical and dressing-room facilities and other operational arrangements.
The venue inspection was followed by a formal discussion between the CBF delegation and BFF officials. The talks centred on the proposed friendly, stadium facilities, logistical arrangements and possible cooperation between the two football federations.
The CBF delegation has discussed October 5 or 6 as possible dates for the Bangladesh fixture at the National Stadium. Brazil are also reportedly prepared to travel with a delegation of around 90 people if the match is finalised.
The proposed dates, however, remain the biggest issue standing between the two sides.
Bangladesh are scheduled to participate in the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia. The tournament begins on September 24, with the final scheduled for October 3. If Bangladesh reach the final, the national team could return home only shortly before the proposed Brazil match. The BFF therefore has yet to give the Brazilian side a final response.
That means Sunday's meeting was not the signing of a confirmed fixture, but rather an important step in determining whether the match can actually take place.
For Brazil, the visit was also part of preparations for their South Asian tour. The Selecao are scheduled to face India in Kolkata on October 3 and are considering travelling to Bangladesh afterwards for another friendly.
The BFF, meanwhile, has expressed its desire to use the opportunity not only to host Brazil but also to strengthen long-term football cooperation. Discussions reportedly touched on infrastructure development, technical facilities, coaching programmes and the possibility of arranging more international matches.
The significance of the proposal is enormous for Bangladesh football. Brazil's senior men's national team have never played a match in Bangladesh. The last major South American footballing giant to bring its senior national side to Dhaka was Argentina, who faced Nigeria at the National Stadium in September 2011 with Lionel Messi in their lineup.
If the Brazil-Bangladesh friendly is eventually confirmed, it would therefore become one of the biggest football events ever staged in the country.