The club is proud to share the news that in December 2025, HRBFC Isthmian Youth Team player Ibrahim Nawaz received recognition from the Bangladesh Football Federation, being called up to a select side to face other select sides from Argentina and Brazil in the Bangla-Latin Tournament.

Nawaz, top row second in from right, with his teammates.

The 17-year-old Molesey native has been with Hampton & Richmond Borough since November 2025 have previously spent time at Aldershot Town and Walton and Hersham. 

He primarily plays as a holding midfielder, but he has also been deployed at centre-back and left-back this season.

This was just the latest in his international football journey, as he was invited to a three-day trial in June 2025 in Dhaka, Bangladesh alongside 51 other players from 14 different countries.

He trained with an U19 group, and his performances meant he was one of five players shortlisted for further consideration.

Last month, he received communication from the BFF that he was invited to take part in the Bangla-Latin Tournament, a friendly tournament between select squads from Bangladesh, Argentina, and Brazil.

The Red and Green Future Stars – Bangladesh’s side was largely made up of members of the national U-17 team, as well as four expatriate players, of which Nawaz was one.

They faced two youth sides, Club Atletico Charlone representing Argentina and Sao Bernardo representing Brazil respectively.

Nawaz in action against the Argentine side.

When speaking to the club, Nawaz reflected on his journey so far stating,

“My history with [HRBFC IYL coaches] Jonny, Adam, and a number of the current HRBFC players goes back well beyond this season. More recently, the coaching and constant encouragement from Steve [Bates] has really helped push my confidence forward and allowed me to develop my playing ability. The current team and management are fantastic, and I genuinely love training and playing with them.”

With regards to his experience in December, he added,

“Getting a national call-up was an amazing moment in itself, but playing against Brazil and Argentina was something else entirely, it’s honestly hard to put into words how that felt.”

From everyone at HRBFC, congratulations Ibra and hopefully there is plenty more international action to come!

Up the Beavers!

By Jack Lonergan