Pakistan’s men’s national football team is set to make history by competing in a FIFA-approved tournament for the first time this year.
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has confirmed that the national side will feature in the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, scheduled to take place in September and October, marking a major milestone for Pakistan football.
The tournament, which will take place in Indonesia, will feature Pakistan alongside eight other teams, including Malaysia, India, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Pakistan is one of three invited teams outside Southeast Asia to take part in the competition.
PFF President Syed Mohsin Gilani expressed his gratitude to FIFA President Gianni Infantino for providing Pakistan with the opportunity to participate in the historic tournament.
He noted that after the Pakistan women’s national team took part in the FIFA Series, the men’s team will now make its debut in a FIFA-sanctioned event.
Gilani said the tournament would provide the national team with a valuable opportunity to face strong opposition, gain international experience and showcase its talent on the global stage.
He added that Pakistan is determined to move beyond developmental competitions and is now ready to compete against some of the region’s strongest teams.
The ASEAN Cup is set to introduce a two-tier competition format, offering national teams across the region a greater platform to compete. The main tournament, which will be hosted by Indonesia, will feature Pakistan alongside seven other teams. Meanwhile, the FIFA ASEAN Challenge Cup will bring together Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, and hosts Hong Kong and China.
To maintain a balanced level of competition, teams will be placed into groups according to their international rankings. Both tournaments will follow a single round-robin system, with the top teams from each group progressing to the final, while the second-placed sides will compete in third-place play-offs.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the initiative aims to provide national teams with more meaningful competitive fixtures and promote stronger football connections throughout the region.
Expressing optimism about Pakistan’s participation, Gilani said the country’s football ambitions had entered a new phase. “It is time to dream big. We are no longer satisfied with only taking part in development competitions. Pakistan is ready to compete against the region’s strongest teams, and our football has truly stepped onto the global stage,” he said.
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