Dhaka, Bangladesh – Canadian-born midfielder Shamit Shome is now officially eligible to play for the Bangladesh national football team. World football’s governing body, FIFA, gave its approval on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. This exciting news was confirmed by the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).
Football fans in Bangladesh are hopeful. They may see Shamit Shome in action very soon. His first match for Bangladesh could be against Singapore. This game is scheduled for June 10th in Dhaka. It is an important AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying match.
The journey for Shamit Shome to represent Bangladesh involved several steps. He first got a release from the Canada Soccer Association on May 1st. Following this, he quickly received his Bangladeshi e-passport on May 5th. The BFF then submitted all the necessary documents to FIFA’s Players’ Status Committee. The committee’s positive decision now clears all hurdles for Shome.
Shamit Shome, who is 27 years old, was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. His parents are of Bangladeshi origin. His father, Manab Shome, is from Sylhet, and his mother, Nandita Shome, is from Brahmanbaria. Shome grew up in Canada and even played two friendly matches for the Canadian senior national team in 2020. He has also represented Canada at various youth levels.
Currently, Shamit Shome plays his club football for Cavalry FC. This team competes in the Canadian Premier League. He has also played in Major League Soccer (MLS) with CF Montreal.
The decision by Shamit Shome to play for Bangladesh comes after a similar move by Hamza Choudhury. Hamza, who plays in England, recently made his debut for Bangladesh. Shome mentioned that Hamza’s decision inspired him. He said, “If Hamza, who is such a great player, can go and represent Bangladesh, why can’t I?”
The BFF is very happy with this development. They believe Shamit Shome will be a valuable addition to the national team. His inclusion is expected to strengthen the midfield. Coach Javier Cabrera’s team is preparing for crucial upcoming matches. The national team camp is set to begin on May 31st. An international friendly match is also planned before the Singapore qualifier.
This news brings a wave of optimism for Bangladesh football. Fans are eager to see Shamit Shome play in the red and green jersey. His international experience and skills are expected to boost the team’s performance.