The men in red and green are expected to fly out to India on March 19, a day after Hamza Chowdhury is expected to join the team in Dhaka.

Sheffield United midfielder Hamza Choudhury has been named alongside Italy-based young midfielder Fahamedul Islam in the 38-member preliminary squad for Bangladesh’s first Asian Cup Qualifiers match against India, which will be held in Shilong on March 25.

The midfielder, who recently declared to play for Bangladesh the country of his mother’s birth, follows striker Tom Cannon to Bramall Lane as Leicester free up funds to add to Ruud van Nistelrooy’s squad before the end of the transfer window.

Bangladesh national team coach Javier Cabrera believes the inclusion of Leicester City footballer Hamza Choudhury will increase the standard of the team in coming days.

Bangladesh national football team captain Jamal Bhuiyan said it would be a proud moment for the country to see Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury put on a red and green jersey, but wants to see more players like Hamza playing in the Bangladesh ranks.

The phenomenon of expatriate footballers seeking to represent the national team is not new for Bangladesh, though.

Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury has hoped that his decision to switch allegiance from England to Bangladesh will open up avenues for Bangladeshi players to play in European leagues.

The BFF president also announced plans to organise a one-month training camp for the national team during the midseason break of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), aiming to prepare for next year's Asian Cup qualifiers against India.

Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury was cleared to represent Bangladesh by FIFA on Thursday, the 27-year-old confirmed on his social media handle.

The wait is finally over. Leicester City FC midfielder Hamza Choudhury now belongs to Bangladesh national football team as the FIFA has cleared the England-born footballer to represent the red and greens at international level.

Bangladesh football team’s head coach Javier Cabrera told media today that he expects Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury in the side from the start of the first match of the AFC Asian Cup in March next year.

Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera has expressed his optimism about getting Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury in the Bangladesh camp soon, after the midfielder received his Bangladesh passport on Friday and sent a letter to the Bangladesh Football Federation expressing his desire to represent the Red and Greens.

Bangladeshi-born English footballer Hamza Choudhury has finally received a Bangladesh passport, confirmed Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) general secretary Emran Hossain after speaking to Hamza’s mother Rafia Choudhury today.

Obtaining a Bangladesh passport is the first criteria that Hamza has to fulfill to represent Bangladesh at the international level.

Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury could play for Bangladesh in the near future, said Bangladesh head coach Javier Cabrera on Thursday.

Hamza Choudhury can become a beacon of inspiration for the next generation if he chooses to play international football for Bangladesh, said Watford head coach Rob Edwards.

Hamza Choudhury is open to playing for Bangladesh, admitting he would be "more than proud" and "honoured" to represent the nation.