With FIFA ban lifted, Pakistan eyes 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers

Just hours after FIFA lifted Pakistan’s suspension last night, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalization Committee has expedited its efforts to hold the national men’s team’s preparatory camp in Saudi Arabia for the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

According to sources, every effort is being made to ensure that the camp is held in Saudi Arabia.

“We are looking into logistics and other related matters and we intensely desire to hold the camp for ten days in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia,” a well-placed source told Nukta.

Late Sunday night FIFA lifted Pakistan’s suspension.

“The Bureau of the FIFA Council decided on March 2, 2025, to lift the suspension that was imposed on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on February 6, 2025,” a FIFA press release it issued late on Sunday night said.

“The decision was taken after the PFF Congress unanimously approved the version of the PFF Constitution validated by FIFA and the AFC, fulfilling thereby the requirement established by the Bureau in its decision of 6 February 2025,” the release added.

And now the country is back on international circuit.

This is great news for the national footballers as they are set to avail a golden opportunity to feature in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Focus on Syria game

The PFF NC’s sole focus is on the qualifiers first game against Syria which will be held on March 25.

“Our main focus is on the March 25 game,” the source said.

In the Qualifiers, Pakistan has been clubbed in Group E with Syria, Afghanistan and Myanmar.

Pakistan will open its journey with an away game against Syria on March 25.

On June 10 Pakistan will host Myanmar in Islamabad while on October 9 Pakistan will host Afghanistan.

On October 14 Pakistan will face Afghanistan in the away show while on November 18 Pakistan will host Syria. This will be followed by Pakistan’s away game against Myanmar on March 31, 2026.

As many as 24 teams have been divided into six groups of four teams each with the group winners progressing to the 2027 Asian Cup.

Constantine returns

English coach Stephen Constantine will be the head coach of the team for the qualifiers.

“Yes, he is back for the March 25 match,” the source told this correspondent.

When asked whether he will bring in his own support staff or Pakistani coaches will be assisting him, the source said: “It will be ‘combined’ support staff.”

Stephen Constantine with the Pakistani players as they prepared to face Saudi Arabia in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World CupPFF

Constantine has a huge reputation in Pakistan’s football as under his belt Pakistan created history to qualify for the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers by beating Cambodia 1-0 in Islamabad in October 2023.

However, in the second round conducted on home and away basis Pakistan failed to deliver against tough teams including Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Tajikistan, losing all their six matches with big margins.

Sources said that diaspora players will directly join the team camp in Saudi Arabia.

Whether FIFA and AFC will ensure Pakistan is properly funded to ensure its team features in the Asian Cup qualifiers, the source said that they remain hopeful.

“We have discussed this with FIFA and AFC and we are hopeful we will get the required funds for the purpose,” he said.

“We don’t have any money in hands to spend on the team,” the source was quick to add.

As NC may stay in power July 31, Pakistan’s June 10 game against Myanmar will also be held under its patronage in Islamabad which last year hosted Pakistan’s second round World Cup qualifiers.

Besides handling Pakistan’s international commitment, NC also will have to conduct the elections of the PFF in the next few months.

It’s a big challenge for the NC. Following the approval of the proposed amendments, aspirants have started making preparation for the electoral process. The eligibility criteria for the PFF’s presidency have been made quite open now and it would be interesting to see how the process is completed.

Pakistan’s football suffered a lot during the last ten years, having faced international sanctions for three times, twice for third party’s interference and a few days ago for Congress’s refusal to approve the proposed amendments.