BFF extends licensing deadline for fourth time

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has extended their club licensing deadline for a fourth time to give top teams facing FIFA bans, such as Bashundhara Kings and Dhaka Abahani, another chance to enter the upcoming season.

A BFF press release on Thursday confirmed that the licensing deadline for the 2026-27 campaign is now 17 August, with the player registration window extended to 19 August.

The federation had previously set an 11 August cut-off after three earlier delays, but the clubs could not clear their FIFA sanctions in time. Fakirerpool Young Men's Club is dealing with the exact same issue.

However, the BFF is taking a strict approach this time. If the clubs cannot lift their international bans and finish their licensing within the new window, the league will start without them, following the initial plans.

To avoid a shortage of teams, the federation has kept two clubs from the Bangladesh Championship League (BCL), along with Fakirerpool Young Men's Club and Dhaka Wanderers Club, ready as backup options.

According to the schedule, the new domestic football season will begin with the Challenge Cup on 21 August. But with the licensing process pushed to 17 August and player registrations potentially stretching to 20 August, the Challenge Cup dates might see some temporary changes. Despite this, the BFF expects the main Premier League and the Federation Cup to kick off exactly on time.