The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has unveiled the national squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, scheduled later this month in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. This marks the first time in history that Pakistan will take part in an international football competition of this level.
Pakistan Squad Breakdown
The squad features a mix of young talent and promising players across all positions:
- Goalkeepers: Muhammad Zaid, Muhammad Tahir
- Defenders (Anchors): Muhammad Hamza Khan, Hamza Nusrat, Zaheer Altaf, Asif Ahmed
- Right Wingers: Hassan Zafar, Abdul Hannan, Yousaf Ahmed, Shams Taj
- Left Wingers: Moeez Sajjad, Muhammad bin Masood, Ariz Mehmood
- Strikers: Muhammad Adnan, Muhammad Ali Riaz Khan, Zaidullah Khan
Group D Fixtures
Pakistan has been placed in Group D alongside Iraq, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), and hosts Saudi Arabia.
- First Match: September 20 vs Iraq
- Second Match: September 22 vs Saudi Arabia
- Final Group Match: September 24 vs Taiwan
All matches will be played in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Struggles in U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Under-23 team faced another setback in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers held in Cambodia. In their third match, Pakistan lost 1-0 to Oman, adding to earlier defeats against Iraq and hosts Cambodia.
Across three matches, Pakistan managed to score only one goal, while conceding ten goals against them. The results underline the challenges Pakistani football still faces on the international stage.
Looking Ahead
Although the senior team’s entry into the Asian Cup Qualifiers is a historic step, Pakistan football is still in the process of growing and improving. The upcoming matches in Saudi Arabia will provide valuable exposure, experience, and learning opportunities as the country looks to establish itself on the Asian football map.
