ISLAMABAD: The logistical hurdles threatening Thursday’s AFC Asian Cup qualifier in Islamabad have been cleared, following confirmation from Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi that visa issues for the Afghanistan national football team are resolved.
The team is now set to travel to Jinnah Stadium for the pivotal Group ‘E’ match.
The visa controversy had mounted earlier this week. Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) president Mohsen Gilani had expressed concern that the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) failed to present its full traveling squad, many of whom are not based in Kabul, for required biometric verification.
Conversely, the AFF had publicly stated it submitted the team list on September 18, but visas were not issued despite “repeated follow-ups and official contacts.”
Minister Naqvi personally intervened and took to social media platform X to announce the resolution, simply stating “Issued now” and thanking a journalist for highlighting the situation.
The announcement brought relief, as reports indicated the Afghan national players had been gathered in Dubai, awaiting clearance to travel.
The match is important for both sides as they both have lost their initial two fixtures with Myanmar and Syria.
The two countries are scheduled for a double-header, with the second match set on October 14th in Al Ardiya, Kuwait, as Afghanistan’s home fixture. The ultimate winner of the group will advance to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
