Solano finalizes preparations for Pakistan's Asian Cup Qualifiers

Pakistan head coach Nolberto Solano is finalizing preparations for the national football team’s camp ahead of their upcoming home and away fixtures against Afghanistan in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers next month.

According to sources, Solano is expected to hold discussions with top officials of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) today (Wednesday) regarding various matters related to the squad and the training camp.

A final decision on the camp schedule is expected shortly with sources indicating that it may begin on either September 20 or 22 in Islamabad.

Pakistan will host Afghanistan on October 9 at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad while the return fixture will be played in Kuwait on October 14, with Afghanistan designated as the home team.

This will be Solano’s first assignment with the senior national side. He previously made his debut as head coach with Pakistan’s Under-23 team during the AFC Umder-23 Asian Cup qualifiers. Handling the senior team will be a significant test for the former Newcastle United midfielder.

Sources suggest that no major changes are expected in the senior squad which has already featured in earlier qualifying matches under former head coach Stephen Constantine. However, according to sources Solano was impressed by the performances of a few Under-23 players and it is expected that at least a couple of them will be included in the senior team’s probables list.

Pakistan’s football development faced delays in recent months due to funding constraints. However, sources confirmed that financial matters are now stabilizing as the PFF has successfully opened its bank account and funding is expected to resume shortly.

Even the secretariat staff has not been paid salaries since they get their last one in June.

Changes may also be made to the support staff that worked with the Under-23 team. Some sources claim that Solano is dissatisfied with one of the assistant coaches and is likely to bring in a replacement.

With limited time available Solano will have just a couple of weeks to prepare the squad for the crucial matches against Afghanistan, a challenging task for the former Peru international.

This correspondent has learned that the pitch at the Jinnah Stadium which had been damaged due to recent non-sporting events, has now been restored.

“The grass was affected but it’s recovering well. We’re aiming for a lush green pitch suitable for international matches,” a source close to the development said.

Pakistan is grouped with Afghanistan, Syria and Myanmar in the qualifiers. The Green-shirts suffered a 2-0 defeat to Syria on March 25, 2025, at the Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium in Saudi Arabia, followed by a 1-0 loss to Myanmar on June 10, 2025, at Yangon’s Thuwunna Stadium.

Pakistan will next host Syria on November 18, 2025, in Islamabad, before facing Myanmar on March 31, 2026, at the same venue in their final group fixture.

A total of 24 teams are competing for the remaining six spots in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. The winners of each group will join the 18 teams that directly qualified from the second round.