The Asian Football Confederation on Monday confirmed that Bangladesh will directly play in the preliminary round of the 2018 World Cup and 2019 Asian Cup.
AFC confirmed the news to the Bangladesh Football Federation through e-mail on Monday. Top 34 teams of the continent were given a direct entry to group stage and Bangladesh barely managed it having ranked 34th in the latest AFC rankings.
The confirmation means Bangladesh will now play eight matches in the group stage of the qualifying round.
A total of 44 teams among 46 members of the AFC sent their entries for the 2018 World Cup and 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers which will be held simultaneously.
Six teams will be chosen through pre-qualifiers to join the 34 direct entrants.
The 40 teams divided into eight groups will play in the preliminary round, which will be held from June 11 2015 to March 29, 2016.
The pre-qualifying round for the last six spots will be held on March 12 and 17, 2015.
Among the South Asian countries only Bangladesh and Maldives will play the preliminary round directly while India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan– will have to play-off matches.
The eight group winners and four second best teams will qualify for the FIFA World Cup final round qualifiers and also the AFC Asia Cup finals.
Bangladesh Football Federation welcomed the news as it ensured great international exposures for the national team
‘It’s a great opportunity for Bangladesh football to get more exposures,’ said BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag told reporters on Monday.
-With New Age input
