Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Vice President of FIFA, is set to arrive in Bangladesh for a four-day official visit from 23 to 26 November — marking the longest-ever stay by a top-tier football executive in the country.
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) confirmed the development following discussions with AFC officials on Thursday. While previous visits by AFC and FIFA presidents, including João Havelange and Sepp Blatter, were typically brief, Sheikh Salman’s extended itinerary signals a deeper engagement with Bangladesh’s footballing ecosystem.
The BFF is preparing to maximise the impact of the visit, planning a comprehensive schedule involving key stakeholders — including clubs, district associations, academies, referees, and media representatives. The federation aims to showcase its developmental efforts and seek strategic support for infrastructure, youth programmes, and technical advancement.
“We’re treating this as a pivotal moment for Bangladeshi football,” a senior BFF official said. “Sheikh Salman’s presence offers us a rare opportunity to align our domestic ambitions with AFC’s broader vision for Asian football.”
The final itinerary is expected to be shared with AFC in the coming days, with both parties working collaboratively to finalise the programme before it is publicly announced.
Sheikh Salman, who has served as AFC President since 2013, has been instrumental in expanding the confederation’s competitions and development initiatives. His visit comes at a time when Bangladesh is seeking greater integration into the Asian football framework, both competitively and administratively.
