COVID-19: 18 players in Bangladesh football squad test positive

A total of 36 players were invited to the camp in Gazipur, just north of the capital Dhaka, to prepare for 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Bangladesh’s first qualifier is on October 8 against Afghanistan in Sylhet. (Representative image)

At least 18 players in Bangladesh’s football squad plus an assistant coach have been infected with the coronavirus since gathering for a training camp this week.

A total of 36 players were invited to the camp in Gazipur, just north of the capital Dhaka, to prepare for 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup qualifiers. They had to prove they did not have the virus before the camp. One failed.

The national federation tested 24 players in the first rounds of checks in Dhaka.

On Wednesday, four players were positive. On Thursday, seven more tested positive and on Friday, another seven tested positive plus the staff member.

“They are in isolation now,” the federation said in a statement.

Bangladesh media reported some players were worried but coach Jamie Day wasn’t, as he expected them to recover and they had plenty of time.

Bangladesh’s first qualifier is on October 8 against Afghanistan in Sylhet.