Hamza is now officially eligible to play for Bangladesh

Leicester City footballer Hamza Choudhury has officially been cleared to play for Bangladesh in international football.

The midfielder, who previously represented England at youth level, took to social media on Thursday evening to share the news.

This announcement marks the culmination of a lengthy process involving approvals from the English Football Association (FA) and FIFA, which has now granted Hamza the required clearance to represent Bangladesh.

The prospect of Hamza, the only Premier League player of Bangladeshi descent, playing for Bangladesh has been a topic of discussion for many years.

His family's wish to see him don the Bangladesh jersey aligned with Hamza's own ambitions earlier this year when he, along with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), initiated the formal process.

Hamza's journey towards eligibility began with him obtaining Bangladeshi citizenship. In June, the 26-year-old footballer applied for a Bangladeshi passport, which was issued within a month and sent to the Bangladeshi High Commission in London.

However, due to Leicester City's pre-season commitments, Hamza was unable to collect the passport himself. His mother, Rafia Choudhury, collected it on his behalf on 23 August.

With the passport secured, the BFF proceeded to acquire a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the FA in September. The final step required FIFA's Player Status Committee to review Hamza's eligibility.

Given his prior appearances for England's youth teams, the process necessitated additional verification, including evidence confirming that both his parents are Bangladeshi citizens. The BFF provided the required documentation, and after a thorough review, FIFA granted Hamza the clearance to play for Bangladesh.

In an interview with VERSUS, Hamza reflected on the significance of this milestone.

"To be able to go back to my country of origin and represent the people I grew up with, it means everything to me – it fills me with so much joy and pride," he said. "England is definitely my home, but so is Bangladesh. This decision allows me to honour both parts of who I am."

Hamza also spoke about the importance of representation in football, particularly for South Asian communities.

"Just seeing a familiar face does so much," he said. "There's been quite a lot in the media recently about people in our community not having a role model in football. It's not necessarily about someone who looks like them but someone who comes from the same background or has the same upbringing. That way, it becomes less aspirational and more attainable. They can reach the same level that I have, and hopefully even surpass it."

Reflecting on why he chose to represent Bangladesh, Hamza emphasised the emotional connection to his roots.

"That feeling of pride, of representing your people – you can't recreate that," he explained. "Home means different things to different people, but when you represent yours, it's such a genuine, pure feeling. It's like a family you can come home to after a long day's work, whether you play badly or not. It feels like refuge in a way."

Hamza hopes his journey will inspire others. "Of course, I feel really proud to be the first Bangladeshi to play in the Premier League, but hopefully, it opens up channels to other South Asian players. It's great to be the first, but it would be even better knowing I won't be the last," he said.

Speaking on the challenges South Asian players face at the grassroots level, Hamza called for greater inclusion.

"Clubs need to broaden their horizons and go to leagues and tournaments where young South Asian players are playing," he said. "I grew up with quite a few Bangladeshi kids who were just as good as me, if not better. There's so much talent out there, but we need to make sure we're providing access and opportunity."

BFF president Tabith Awal officially confirmed the development, celebrating the conclusion of a meticulous process that now allows Hamza to represent Bangladesh. Hamza himself expressed his gratitude and excitement, sharing his family's pride in his decision to honour his heritage.

Hamza is now poised to make his debut for Bangladesh, with his first appearance potentially coming in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against India on 25 March.