By Mohammad Arif
Bangladesh made an impressive start in the SAFF U-20 Championship 2026 in the Maldives, defeating Pakistan 2-0 in their opening match. The star of the match was U.S.-based forward Ronan Sullivan, who scored both goals in the second half and was named Man of the Match.
Ronan and his twin brother Declan Sullivan are representing Bangladesh for the first time. They became eligible to play through their maternal Bangladeshi heritage, marking a proud moment for the Bangladeshi diaspora.
The Sullivan family is deeply rooted in football tradition. All four brothers are involved in the sport—Ronan and Declan are part of Bangladesh’s U-20 squad, their elder brother Quinn Sullivan is already an established player in Major League Soccer (MLS) with the Philadelphia Union, and the youngest, Cavan Sullivan, is widely regarded as a rising
star in global football.
Their father, Brendan Sullivan, is a former professional footballer who played for multiple clubs during a six-year career in Australia’s A-League. Their mother, Heike, also has a strong football background, having played in the second division and captained the University of Pennsylvania women’s team. This strong sporting foundation has played a
key role in shaping the brothers’ football journey.
Ronan Sullivan’s grandmother, Dr Sultana Alam, is Bangladeshi, and his grandfather is Klaus Krippendorf. Their family heritage reflects a rich blend of German (with U.S. dual citizenship), Irish, Italian, and Bangladeshi roots. Dr Alam met her husband in Philadelphia while pursuing her PhD.
The family also shares a historic connection to Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971. Ronan’s grandparents were actively involved in a nonviolent protest movement in the United States that aimed to block ships carrying American weapons intended for use against the people of Bangladesh. They played a significant role in organizing and supporting these protests.
New York City Council Member Shahana Hanif has highlighted this history in her work on the “Blockade” documentary, which documents the role of American activists, including members of the Sullivan family, during that movement.
With a unique blend of Bangladeshi heritage, strong family values, and international football exposure, the Sullivan brothers represent a powerful source of inspiration for the next generation. Bangladesh now looks ahead with hope, aiming to defeat India and advance to the semifinals as group champions.
