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Nineteen-year-old Farhan Ali Wahid is on the verge of making history as the second footballer of Bangladeshi origin to play in the English Premier League, while also closing in on an international debut for Bangladesh.
If all formalities are completed as planned, the Fulham winger could make his first appearance for the Bangladesh national team during the FIFA international window in September. He is also expected to feature in the SAFF Championship, scheduled to be held in Dhaka in November.
Farhan took a significant step toward the Premier League after impressing in Fulham’s pre-season friendly against Norwich City. Introduced as a second-half substitute in the 46th minute by head coach Álvaro Arbeloa, the winger caught the eye with a dazzling run down the left flank and a curling effort that forced a fine save from the Norwich goalkeeper.
Although Fulham lost the match 2-0, Farhan’s lively performance generated widespread attention and strengthened his case for a place in the club’s senior squad. Should he make his competitive Premier League debut, he would become only the second footballer of Bangladeshi heritage, after Hamza Choudhury, to play in England’s top flight.
His progress has also intensified efforts by the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) to secure his services for the national team.
Born in England on Dec. 9, 2006, to British-born parents of Sylheti origin, Farhan is eligible to represent Bangladesh through his family roots. One of the key requirements for obtaining a Bangladeshi passport—a birth registration certificate—has already been completed.
The BFF is now awaiting Farhan’s availability to complete biometric registration at the Bangladesh High Commission in London. Once his passport is issued, the federation will seek clearance from the English Football Association, paving the way for his international debut.
BFF Vice-President Fahad Karim said the federation is working to complete all necessary procedures before the September FIFA window.
“We are doing everything required to have Farhan available in September. Everything is progressing according to plan. We are optimistic that he will join the national team during the September window, and we have no doubts about having him for the SAFF Championship in November,” Karim told local media.
Farhan began his football journey in Chelsea’s academy before joining Fulham at the Under-12 level in 2019. He made his debut for Fulham’s Under-21 side in January 2024 and signed his first professional contract with the club in 2025.
During the 2025-26 Premier League 2 season, he was named Player of the Month in November and later earned a place on the shortlist for the league’s Player of the Season award.
Meanwhile, the BFF is planning to host a four-nation tournament during the FIFA window from Sept. 21 to Oct. 6. Kyrgyzstan has invited Bangladesh to play an away friendly, but the federation hopes to bring the Central Asian nation to Dhaka instead. If the tournament goes ahead, Farhan could make his Bangladesh debut in front of home supporters.