Pakistan’s hopes of competing in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers have been dashed following FIFA’s suspension of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF). This ban has stripped Pakistan of its membership rights, barring its teams from all international competitions.
PFF Confirms Exclusion
On Monday, the Pakistan Football Federation confirmed that the men’s national team would not participate in the tournament. In an official statement, PFF expressed regret over the situation, stating that the national team would be unable to play in the final qualification round.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had warned that if FIFA did not lift the suspension by March 4, 2025, Pakistan would be considered withdrawn from the qualifiers. The first match, scheduled for March 25 against Syria, is now off the table. Pakistan was set to compete in Group E alongside Syria, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.
AFC’s Deadline and FIFA’s Suspension
The AFC had stressed the urgency of resolving the issue in a letter addressed to the PFF Normalisation Committee. The letter emphasized that the team required adequate time to prepare for the competition and that failure to resolve FIFA’s suspension by the deadline would result in automatic disqualification.
The suspension, imposed on February 6, 2025, prevents Pakistan’s national teams and clubs from participating in any FIFA-recognized competitions.
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Women’s Team Also Affected
The crisis extends beyond the men’s team. This highlights the severe impact of FIFA’s action on the country’s football development.
FIFA Extends PFF Normalisation Committee’s Mandate
In a separate development, FIFA has extended the mandate of the PFF Normalisation Committee until July 31, 2025. . Hashimi will take charge on February 16, 2025, following the end of Malik’s tenure on February 15. Other committee members, Muhammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar and Haris Azmat, will continue in their roles.
However, with ongoing administrative struggles and international suspensions, Pakistan’s football future remains uncertain.
A Setback for Pakistan’s Football
Pakistan’s exclusion from the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers is a major setback for the sport in the country. The ban prevents players from competing at an international level, affecting their growth and exposure. Football stakeholders in Pakistan now face mounting pressure to resolve governance issues and restore FIFA membership to bring the country back into the global football scene.
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