international football
Bangladesh’s matches in the 2nd Round Qualifiers of FIFA World Cup 2026: Schedules, Fixtures, Team
The Bangladesh football team secured their spot in the second round of qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by beating Maldives 3-2 over two matches in the pre-qualifiers. This victory means that Bangladesh will have the opportunity to participate in more international matches in the next three years. Let’s take a look at Bangladesh’s opponents along with match schedules and fixtures in the next round.
Bangladesh's Matches in FIFA World Cup 2026 Second Round Qualifiers: Schedules, Fixtures, Team
Over the next three years, Bangladesh will have a chance to participate in at least 12 international matches in the FIFA World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers. Bangladesh will face Australia, Palestine, and Lebanon in the second round of the World Cup pre-qualifiers.
This is the last stage of World Cup pre-qualification. There are a total of 9 groups here. Bangladesh is placed in Group I, alongside Australia, Palestine, and Lebanon. Out of these 9 groups (Group A to Group I), the top two teams from each group – a total of 18 teams – will advance to the next round of the World Cup qualifiers.
These 18 teams will get tickets for the 2027 Asian Cup directly. Considering Bangladesh’s football potentials and the reality, it must be said that it is very difficult to be in the top two from the group.
Read more: Bangladesh qualify for 2nd round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers beating Maldives by 2-1 goals
Table: Bangladesh’s Matches in the Second Round Qualifiers of FIFA WORLD CUP 2026
Date and Time (Bangladesh Time)
Match
Venue
November 16, 2023; 3:00 PM
Australia vs Bangladesh
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
November 21, 2023; 5:45 PM
Bangladesh vs Lebanon
Bashundhara Kings Arena, Dhaka
March 21, 2024; Time to be announced
Bangladesh vs Palestine
Venue to be announced
March 26, 2024; Time to be announced
Palestine vs Bangladesh
Venue to be announced
June 6, 2024; Time to be announced
Bangladesh vs Australia
Venue to be announced
June 11, 2024; Time to be announced
Lebanon vs Bangladesh
Venue to be announced
Bangladesh’s Performance in the First Round of FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
Bangladesh played two matches against Maldives in the first round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. The first match took place on October 12, and the second match was on October 17.
Bangladesh drew against the Maldives in the 2026 Football World Cup qualifier playoffs’ first match. Jamal Bhuiyan’s team left the field with a last-minute goal to draw 1-1 in the first leg.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid 2022: Pre-season el clasico match preview
The European clubs are currently busy playing pre-season friendlies in order to be well-prepared for the upcoming 2022–2023 season. Two Spanish giants, Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona will meet each other for a friendly match on Sunday (July 24) at the USA’s Allegiant Stadium. The Barcelona vs Real Madrid 2022 friendly match is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. (Bangladesh Standard Time). Despite the fact that this El Clasico is a friendly game, football fans all around the world have no shortage of interest. The pre-season el clasico match preview between Real Madrid and Barcelona is discussed in this article.
2022 Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Pre-season match prediction
Real Madrid surprised everyone by winning the UEFA Champions League in 2021–2022 despite starting the campaign as hot favourites. Carlo Ancelotti is pretty confident with his current squad and Madrid have made only two signings this summer. They are unlikely to make any more signings before the transfer deadline.
Last season, Carlo Ancelotti preferred a 4-3-3 formation, and they were successful playing with this tactic. Karim Benzema played a huge part in Ancelotti’s tactics. Madrid might not have won the Champions League and La Liga if Benzema hadn't been there. It will therefore be interesting to see how Real Madrid perform if Benzema gets injured in the middle of next season. For Sunday’s clash, Real Madrid will likely play the same system they played last season.
Read Cristiano Ronaldo's Summer Football Transfer 2022: 5 potential destinations
Madrid’s arch-rivals, Barcelona, had a tough 2021–2022 season, but they made a remarkable turnaround in the second-half and finished the season second, 13 points behind champion Real Madrid. Barcelona have gone through a difficult financial situation in recent seasons.
The La Liga authorities have put an embargo on their salary structure. As a result, Barcelona must make some deals that go against their club spirit in order to improve their current financial situation. Barcelona are able to sign big names this season thanks to their recent financial deals.
Barcelona’s preferred formation is 4-3-3, and Xavi has some quality options upfront and in the midfield to pick his best three players in each area. The signing of Andreas Christensen has bolstered their defense line. Xavi is most likely to field his best players in this Barcelona vs Real Madrid 2022 friendly contest as winning el clasico before the upcoming season will boost the confidence among the players.
Read Dembélé signs new contract with Barcelona through 2024
Prediction: Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid
FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF: Probable Team Lineups
Real Madrid have already made two very important signings this season to strengthen their squad. They have signed free agent defender Antonio Rudiger to a four-year deal and also bought talented defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco for a reported fee of around 100 million euros. These two will likely start for Real Madrid against Barcelona. However, head coach Carlos Ancelotti may pick any player from the squad as this is a friendly contest.
Predicted Starting XI (Real Madrid)
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois;
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba;
Midfielders: Aurelien Tchouameni, Casemiro, Toni Kroos;
Forwards: Rodrygo, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior
Two of Barcelona’s biggest signings of this summer transfer window, Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich and Raphinha from Leeds United, are likely to start in Sunday’s match against Real Madrid. Besides, head coach Xavi may give some young talents a chance in the match to showcase their abilities.
Read Summer Football Transfer Window 2022: 13 most significant moves so far
Predicted Starting XI (Barcelona)
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre ter Stegen;
Defenders: Sergino Dest, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Jordi Alba;
Midfielders: Gavi, Sergio Busquets, Pedri;
Forwards: Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres
Verdict
Barcelona and Real Madrid are two of the biggest teams in European club football. Fans always look forward to watching this fixture whenever they meet each other, be it in domestic competitions or friendlies. Sunday’s Barcelona vs Real Madrid 2022 pre-season el clasico will be no exception. The possibility of seeing two of the world's top strikers, Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona and Karim Benzema of Real Madrid, face off against one another makes the match even more intriguing.
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Four Nations Football: Bangladesh earn long-awaited win upsetting Maldives 2-1
Bangladesh stayed in the final race of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksha Trophy Four Nations International Football Tournament upsetting upper ranked Maldives by 2-1 goal in their 2nd match at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo on Saturday.
It was not only a sweet revenge of Bangladesh in their 0-2 goal defeat against the Maldives in the SAFF Championship in Male five weeks before, but also their dream win against the island nation after about 18 years.
Bangladesh played the Maldives on five occasions since 2003, and lost four matches featuring an embracing 0-5 goal defeat. The rest match between them ended in draw.
Bangladesh miserably played to a 1-1 with lowly African side Seychelles in their first match despite leading by 1-0 goal till 87th minute at the same venue last Wednesday.
Read: Four Nations Football: Bangladesh play 1-1 draw with Seychelles
Earlier in the tournament opener on last Tuesday, hosts Sri Lanka, coming from behind, drew 4-4 with the Maldives at the same venue.
In the day’s match, captain cum medio Jamal Bhuiyan put Bangladesh ahead in the 12th minute utilizing a long throw of Rahmat Miah (1-0).
Mohamed Umair restored the parity for the Maldives in the 32nd minute capitalizing on a corner kick, taken by Ali Ashraf to tie the 1-1 in the first half.
Defender Topu Barman scored the long awaited match-winner for Bangladesh in the 88th minute from a penalty (2-1).
Bangladesh got the spot kick when onrushing Jewel Rana of Bangladesh, was illegally tackled by Maldives custodian in the danger zone.
Read: Four Nations Football: Host Sri Lanka plays out 4-4 draw with Maldives
FIFA Int'l Series: Bangladesh to play Nepal in series decider on Tuesday
Hosts Bangladesh need a draw to win the two-match Mujib Borsho FIFA International Series 2020 against Nepal in the series-deciding match at Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday.