Brazil football delegation arrives in Dhaka, to meet BFF officials

A delegation from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is arriving in Dhaka on Sunday (August 23) for talks with Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) officials and a visit to the National Stadium, according to BFF sources.

The visit comes as Brazil prepares for a much-anticipated international friendly against India in Kolkata. The Brazilian delegation is scheduled to inspect the National Stadium and assess its facilities during the Dhaka trip.

The visit has sparked fresh excitement among Bangladesh's football fans, particularly over the possibility of Brazil playing a match in the country.

However, the delegation's visit should not be interpreted as confirmation that a Brazil national team match will be staged in Bangladesh. The BFF has made no such announcement so far.

Brazil, five-time world champions, are scheduled to face India in an international friendly on October 3 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.

The All India Football Federation has also officially confirmed the fixture, which will be the first meeting between the two national teams.

A five-member CBF delegation had already visited Kolkata to inspect the match venue and related facilities. The officials assessed the pitch, training facilities, dressing rooms, accommodation, security arrangements and other infrastructure.

The Dhaka visit is understood to be part of a similar assessment of facilities in Bangladesh.

Brazil enjoy a massive following in Bangladesh, with supporters regularly displaying the team's colours and flags during World Cups and other major tournaments. The arrival of the CBF delegation has therefore triggered widespread speculation on social media about a possible Brazil visit, although no such fixture has been confirmed.

Bangladesh has previously hosted a major international friendly involving a world champion. On September 6, 2011, Argentina faced Nigeria at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka, with Lionel Messi's Argentina winning 3-1.

The CBF delegation's visit has now renewed interest in Bangladesh's ability to host high-profile international football matches and its existing football infrastructure.