Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday dropped a strong hint that he supports England in the ongoing FIFA World Cup, though he stopped short of naming his favourite team.

He gave the hint while responding to a question from senior journalist Sumon Mahmud while exchanging views with reporters covering the BNP beat after having lunch with them at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre at Agargaon.

As the journalist asked which team he supports in the World Cup, Tarique Rahman offered a light-hearted and diplomatic reply. Without naming any team directly, he smiled and said, “I spent a long time in one country. You can understand.”

He then turned to the journalist and asked, “You got your answer, didn't you?”

The remark was widely interpreted as a reference to England, where Tarique Rahman lived for nearly 17 years.

Tarique Rahman left Bangladesh in September 2008 for medical treatment after securing bail from the Supreme Court.

He later settled in London with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman.

After spending 17 years abroad, he returned to Bangladesh with his family on December 25, 2025.

Football fever has gripped Bangladesh following the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The tournament officially kicked off on June 11 with an opening ceremony and the first match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

A record 48 teams are taking part in the 39-day tournament, which will conclude with the final in New York on July 19.

England will begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia in the early hours of June 18 (Bangladesh time), a match that is expected to draw much interest among local football fans.