DHAKA, Jan 22, 2026 (BSS) - As part of the soft diplomacy initiative of the foreign affairs ministry is set to host the two-day Embassy Football Fest for the sixth consecutive year, with 35 embassies and international organizations, starting from tomorrow.  

The much-anticipated 6th edition of the Embassy Football Fest will bring together embassies, high commissions and international organizations based in 
Dhaka in what organizers describe as the largest football tournament yet for the diplomatic community.

The two-day, seven-a-side tournament will be played in eight groups and is scheduled to begin with an opening ceremony at 9:00am on Friday at the APBN Field in Uttara. 

The closing and prize-giving ceremony will be held at the same venue on Saturday at 4:00pm.

Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Secretary (Inspector General of Missions) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will inaugurate the tournament while Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain is expected to attend the closing ceremony. 

Ambassadors and high commissioners of participating countries are expected to be present at both events.

Organisers said the Embassy Football Fest continues to demonstrate how sports can serve as a bridge between cultures and strengthen unity. 

As host, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will participate as "Team Bangladesh," while the Bangladesh Football Federation is serving as the logistics partner. 

The Saudi Arabian Embassy were champions in the 2024 edition.

A total of 43 matches will be played, including 27 group-stage fixtures, eight Round of 16 matches, four quarterfinals, two semifinals, a third-place playoff and the final. Each match will be played in a seven-a-side format, lasting 20 minutes, with games running from 9:00am to 5:00pm on both days. 

The final match is scheduled for Saturday at 4:00pm while Saudia Airliners became the title sponsor. 

The initiative aims to promote peace, strengthen cooperation among nations and further enhance Bangladesh's image globally through sports diplomacy, said a foreign ministry's press release here this evening.