AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers: Gavin Lee Names 26-Man Singapore Squad for Bangladesh Clash as Lions Eye Strong Finish
- SportPlus News
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Singapore heads into the final qualifying match having already qualified for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup
SINGAPORE, 18 March 2026 - Singapore Men’s National Team head coach Gavin Lee has officially announced a 26-man squad for the Lions’ final AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh, set to take place on 31 March during the March FIFA International Window.
The highly anticipated fixture will be held at the iconic Singapore National Stadium, where Singapore will look to conclude their qualifying campaign on a high note in front of home fans.
Singapore Already Qualified for AFC Asian Cup 2027
Singapore heads into the match with confidence, having already secured qualification for the AFC Asian Cup Finals in Saudi Arabia. The Lions sealed their spot with a memorable 2-1 comeback victory over Hong Kong last November — a result that highlighted the team’s resilience and growth under Lee’s leadership.
Despite qualification being confirmed, the upcoming Singapore vs Bangladesh match remains crucial as the team builds momentum ahead of the continental tournament.
Core Squad Retained with Key Returns
Lee has largely stuck with the core group of players who have driven Singapore’s successful qualifying campaign, while also rewarding standout performers across domestic and regional competitions.
Notable returns to the squad include defender Irfan Fandi (Port FC) and defender Raoul Suhaimi (Tampines Rovers). In attack, forward Abdul Rasaq Akeem earns a call-up while on loan at Albirex Niigata (S).
Midfielder Nur Adam Abdullah also returns to the national setup, marking his first involvement since an international friendly against Chinese Taipei in November 2024.
Gavin Lee: “The Next Match Is Always the Most Important”
Speaking ahead of the Bangladesh clash, Lee stressed that the team’s mindset remains unchanged despite already qualifying.
“Although qualification is secured, our approach doesn’t change. The next match is always the most important.”
He added that playing at home provides extra motivation:
“Playing at the National Stadium in front of our fans is always special, and we want to deliver a strong performance to close out the campaign on a positive note.”
Singapore vs Bangladesh: Match Details & Tickets
The Singapore vs Bangladesh AFC Asian Cup qualifier promises an exciting night of football as the Lions aim to maintain their winning momentum.
Date: 31 March 2026
Venue: Singapore National Stadium
Competition: AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers
Fans can purchase tickets via Ticketek or through the Football Association of Singapore’s official website. Early booking is strongly encouraged due to expected high demand.
Final Build-Up Before Asian Cup Finals
With qualification secured, this match serves as a key stepping stone in Singapore’s preparations for the AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. Maintaining performance levels, squad cohesion, and competitive intensity will be vital as the Lions aim to make an impact on the continental stage.
S/N | Name | Pos | Caps | Goals | DOB | Club |
1 | Izwan Mahbud | GK | 71 | 0 | 14-Jul-90 | Young Lions |
2 | Rudy Khairullah | GK | 0 | 0 | 19-Jul-94 | Geylang International |
3 | Syazwan Buhari | GK | 3 | 0 | 22-Sep-92 | BG Tampines Rovers |
4 | Akram Azman | DF | 3 | 0 | 21-Nov-00 | Lion City Sailors |
5 | Amirul Adli | DF | 40 | 1 | 13-Jan-96 | Negeri Sembilan FC (MAS) |
6 | Irfan Fandi | DF | 49 | 2 | 13-Aug-97 | Port FC (THA) |
7 | Irfan Najeeb | DF | 14 | 1 | 31-Jul-99 | BG Tampines Rovers |
8 | Nur Adam Abdullah | DF | 10 | 0 | 13-Apr-01 | Lion City Sailors |
9 | Raoul Suhaimi | DF | 0 | 0 | 18-Sep-05 | BG Tampines Rovers |
10 | Safuwan Baharudin | DF | 130 | 13 | 22-Sep-91 | Selangor FC (MAS) |
11 | Ryhan Stewart | DF | 31 | 0 | 15-Feb-00 | Kanchanaburi Power (THA) |
12 | Lionel Tan | DF | 27 | 3 | 5-Jun-97 | Lion City Sailors |
13 | Joel Chew | MF | 8 | 0 | 9-Feb-00 | BG Tampines Rovers |
14 | Farhan Zulkifli | MF | 9 | 1 | 16-Dec-98 | Hougang United |
15 | Hami Syahin | MF | 38 | 0 | 19-Nov-90 | Lion City Sailors |
16 | Hariss Harun | MF | 146 | 11 | 19-Nov-90 | Lion City Sailors |
17 | Glenn Kweh | MF | 28 | 2 | 26-Mar-00 | BG Tampines Rovers |
18 | Jacob Mahler | MF | 15 | 3 | 10-Apr-00 | BG Tampines Rovers |
19 | Kyoga Nakamura | MF | 17 | 2 | 25-Apr-96 | Lion City Sailors |
20 | Shah Shahiran | MF | 38 | 1 | 14-Nov-99 | BG Tampines Rovers |
21 | Harhys Stewart | MF | 14 | 0 | 20-Mar-01 | Uthai Thani (THA) |
22 | Abdul Rasaq Akeem | FW | 6 | 0 | 16-Jun-01 | Albirex Niigata (S) |
23 | Jordan Emaviwe | FW | 11 | 0 | 9-Apr-01 | Chiangrai United (THA) |
24 | Ikhsan Fandi | FW | 46 | 22 | 9-Apr-99 | BG Pathum United (THA) |
25 | Ilhan Fandi | FW | 23 | 5 | 8-Nov-02 | Buriram United (THA) |
26 | Shawal Anuar | FW | 50 | 18 | 29-Apr-91 | Lion City Sailors |
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