Anisur Rahman

The cases are believed to be the first of their kind in Bangladesh athletics, bringing a global debate over female-category eligibility rules into the country's sporting landscape.

If Bangladesh is serious about competing beyond South Asia, the transformation must begin at home.

For the past few weeks, the people of Bangladesh have been captivated by one thing -- the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

While debates over individual calls are likely to continue, experts believe VAR has already become an important part of modern football despite its ongoing limitations.

A World Cup is often a child’s very first introduction to the concept of a setback, wrapped in the safe environment of sport.

Growing up in the mid-1980s, football in Bangladesh was never merely a sport. It was emotion, identity, and everyday life stitched into dusty neighbourhood fields and crowded tea stalls.

Being an avid Brazil fan, Bangladesh national team goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico has been enjoying every match of the Selecao, along with the other key FIFA World Cup fixtures. Zico recently spoke to The Daily Star's Anisur Rahman about Brazil's progress at the World Cup, the evolving role of goalkeepers, and his own professional future. Below are excerpts:

Players from both sides were allowed to watch selected World Cup matches on mobile phones, with the global tournament serving as inspiration.