Zakaria Pintoo, the first captain of the Swadhin Bangla Football Team and a pioneering figure in Bangladesh’s sporting history, appears to have been largely forgotten just one year after his passing on November 18 last year. Despite his immense contributions to football and national pride, no significant tributes or commemorations were observed on his first death anniversary. Pintoo, who captained the team that symbolized Bangladesh’s independence struggle in 1971, had an illustrious career with clubs like Mohammedan SC and even represented Pakistan before independence. He later served as a senior official in the Bangladesh Football Federation and the National Sports Council. Honored with the Independence Award and National Sports Award, Pintoo’s legacy remains unmatched. However, his family expressed deep disappointment that neither football officials nor players remembered him, reflecting a broader neglect of the nation’s sports heroes.

Bangladesh secured a historic football victory over India after 22 years, with Sheikh Morsalin scoring the decisive goal. The match carried emotional and political undertones, as fans displayed a tifo reading 'From Teesta to Felani, how many more victims?', referencing long-standing border and water disputes between the two nations. Chants like 'Dhaka, not Delhi!' echoed throughout the stadium, reflecting national pride and frustration over unresolved bilateral issues. Bangladesh captain Jamal Bhuiyan had promised to fight for every inch, and his team delivered on that vow. India, desperate to win, brought back retired star Sunil Chhetri and fielded Ryan Williams without FIFA clearance, but their efforts fell short. The victory not only ended a long drought but also symbolized Bangladesh’s growing confidence and unity both on and off the field.

Bangladesh secured a historic 1-0 victory over India, marking their first win against the neighbors in 22 years since 2003. The match, held in Bangladesh, saw strong performances from the home side, particularly from defensive midfielder Hamza Choudhury, who played a crucial role in maintaining the lead. Indian coach Khalid Jamil expressed deep disappointment after the loss, emphasizing that hard work determines success in football and dismissing any notion of bad luck. He acknowledged Bangladesh’s overall team effort, noting that their counter-attacks were decisive. The match also witnessed tense moments, including a scuffle between players following a foul by Tapu Barman, resulting in yellow cards for Tapu and India’s Nikhil Poojary. Despite the heated exchanges, Jamil downplayed the incident, saying such physical and emotional moments are part of football. The result highlights Bangladesh’s growing competitiveness in South Asian football.

Pakistan began their tri-nation T20 series campaign with a solid win over Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi. After losing the toss, Zimbabwe batted first and posted 147 runs for eight wickets, despite a strong start of 72 runs in eight overs. Ryan Bennett top-scored with 49 off 36 balls, while captain Sikandar Raza added 34. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Mohammad Nawaz with two wickets, restricted Zimbabwe effectively. In reply, Pakistan faced early pressure at 54 for four but recovered through a 61-run fifth-wicket stand between Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan. Fakhar scored 44 off 32 balls, while Usman remained unbeaten on 37. Mohammad Nawaz contributed a quick 21 off 12 balls to seal the victory with four balls to spare. The win gave Pakistan a strong start in the tri-series, boosting their confidence ahead of upcoming matches.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar has congratulated the Bangladesh national football team for their historic 1–0 victory over India in the third-round return leg of the Asian Cup qualifiers. In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 18, Parwar described the win as a proud moment for the nation, noting that it marked Bangladesh’s first victory over India in 22 years. He praised the players, coaching staff, and team management for their dedication and performance, emphasizing that the triumph demonstrated Bangladesh’s growing footballing strength and confidence. Parwar expressed hope that this success would inspire renewed enthusiasm in the country’s sports sector and encourage greater interest in football among the youth. He also extended prayers and best wishes for the team’s continued progress and future international achievements, urging them to maintain their winning momentum.

Bangladesh secured a historic 1-0 victory over India in football, marking their first win against the neighboring nation since 2003. The result sparked widespread celebration across the country. BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman congratulated the national team through a Facebook post on Tuesday, praising their discipline, unity, and belief. He highlighted Morsalin’s early goal and the team’s relentless spirit as symbols of hope for the future of Bangladeshi sports. Rahman described the players as inspirations for the youth and ambassadors of the nation’s sporting culture. Expressing optimism, he said Bangladesh’s sports sector has a bright future where talent will flourish and the national flag will soar higher. His message resonated with fans who viewed the victory as a moment of national pride and resurgence in football.

Bangladesh secured a morale-boosting 1-0 victory over India in an Asian Cup qualifying match held at the National Stadium in Dhaka. Sheikh Md Morsalin scored the decisive goal in the 11th minute, assisted by Rakib Hossain. Although both Bangladesh and India were already eliminated from contention for the main round, the home side celebrated the win enthusiastically, with players including Rakib, Morsalin, Jamal, and Hamza joining in post-match celebrations. After five matches, Bangladesh accumulated five points, while India managed only two. In the same group, Singapore qualified for the Asian Cup main stage after defeating Hong Kong 2-1, taking their tally to eight points. Bangladesh will play their final qualifying match against Singapore on March 31 next year.

Pakistan’s ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi praised Babar Azam as the 'backbone' of the national team after securing a series victory against Sri Lanka at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. Afridi highlighted the team’s unity as the key to success and lauded Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for their leadership and consistent performances. He expressed satisfaction at Babar’s return to form with a century and commended Rizwan’s senior role. Afridi also appreciated Wasim Junior’s comeback performance after injury, emphasizing the bowlers’ ability to change the course of matches. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s batting coach Julian Wood acknowledged Pakistan’s superior performance and praised the Rawalpindi crowd’s support. He admitted Sri Lanka’s early batting collapse cost them the final ODI but stressed the importance of focusing on World Cup preparations and adapting strategies for the upcoming T20 tri-series.

Ahead of Bangladesh’s crucial Asian Cup qualifier against India, national football team captain Jamal Bhuyan shared a motivational post on Facebook. He posted a clip from the 2021 World Cup qualifier where Bangladesh lost 2–0 to India after holding them until the 79th minute. The video showed Jamal tackling Indian forward Brandon Fernandes, accompanied by the caption, “Fight for every inch on the field.” The post is seen as an attempt to inspire his teammates and fans before the high-stakes match. Bangladesh have not beaten India in 26 years but have lost only once in their last six encounters since Jamal’s debut. Fellow player Hamza Choudhury also expressed optimism on social media, saying the team is fully prepared and eager to give their best in the match.

Germany and the Netherlands have officially qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after emphatic victories in their final European qualifying matches. Germany crushed Slovakia 6-0 in Leipzig, while the Netherlands defeated Lithuania 4-0 in Amsterdam. Both teams needed only a draw to advance but opted for attacking displays to seal their places in style. Slovakia and Poland finished second in their respective groups, earning playoff spots for March’s 16-team European playoff round. Northern Ireland also reached the playoffs through their Nations League performance despite finishing third in Group A. Croatia, already qualified earlier, beat Montenegro 3-2, and the Czech Republic secured second place in Group L with a 6-0 win over Gibraltar. Germany’s win featured goals from Nick Woltemade, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané, Ridle Baku, and Assan Ouedraogo. The Netherlands’ victory was powered by Tijjani Reijnders, Cody Gakpo, Xavi Simons, and Donyell Malen, delighting 50,000 fans at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

After more than two years away, FC Barcelona will finally return to their iconic home ground, Camp Nou, on November 22 for a La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao. The Catalan club confirmed the news in a statement on Monday. The team last played at Camp Nou during the 2022–23 season and has since been hosting matches at the Olympic Stadium on Montjuïc Hill due to extensive renovation work. The €1.5 billion ($1.75 billion) redevelopment faced multiple delays, pushing the reopening back by a year. Initially, the stadium will reopen with a temporary capacity of 45,401 spectators, which will eventually expand to 105,000 once the upper tiers are completed. Earlier this month, a test event was held with 23,000 fans attending an open training session. Barcelona also hopes to host their December 9 UEFA Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt at the revamped Camp Nou, pending UEFA approval.

The Indian national football team has arrived in Dhaka to face Bangladesh in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying return leg on November 18. However, controversy has emerged over the inclusion of Ryan Williams, an Australian-born striker who recently obtained Indian citizenship. Despite his new nationality, India reportedly brought him to Dhaka without securing necessary approvals from FIFA and Football Australia. According to regulations, India must obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from Football Australia before seeking formal clearance from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Without these permissions, Williams will be ineligible to play against Bangladesh. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed that while Williams will travel and train with the team, his participation in the match depends on receiving the required NOC and international clearances.

A total of 30 national teams from across the globe have officially secured their places in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will feature 48 teams in total. From Europe, France, England, and Croatia have qualified by topping their respective groups. South America will be represented by six teams—Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, and Paraguay—after dominant performances in the qualifiers. Host nation the United States and Mexico have confirmed their participation from North and Central America. Africa will send nine teams, including Algeria, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Egypt, Senegal, Tunisia, Cape Verde, and South Africa. From Asia, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, and Uzbekistan have secured their spots, while New Zealand will represent Oceania. With 18 places still open, the remaining teams will be determined through playoffs and final qualifying rounds in the coming months.

The Bangladesh government has approved a new three-year project worth Tk 27.82 crore to train young people in basic self-defense skills. The initiative, titled 'Basic Self-Defense Training for Youths,' will be implemented by the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) under the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Scheduled to run until February 2028, the fully government-funded program aims to train 8,850 participants—8,250 young men and 600 young women—from all 64 districts. Training sessions will be held at BKSP’s main campus in Savar and regional centers in Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, and Sylhet, with additional facilities in Dhaka and Dinajpur. The project allocates Tk 16.51 crore for training activities and participant support, Tk 7.08 crore for sports equipment, and Tk 2.17 crore for furniture. Officials said the program seeks to enhance youths’ confidence, discipline, and resilience while equipping them with practical self-defense techniques.

Bangladesh advanced to the mixed doubles table tennis final at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia after defeating Bahrain 3–1 in the semifinals on Thursday, November 13. The pair of Khai Khai Sai Marma and Javed Ahmed delivered a strong performance, winning the first, third, and fourth games. With this result, Bangladesh has already guaranteed at least a silver medal, marking the country's first-ever table tennis medal at the Islamic Games and its first medal outside South Asia. In addition, Bangladeshi weightlifter Marzia Akter Ikra earned three bronze medals in snatch, clean and jerk, and total categories, bringing Bangladesh’s total medal count at the event to four.