Islamabad (Sports News): The National Challenge Cup 2026 kicks off from Wednesday, February 4 with 12 teams taking part.
The revival of domestic football had been top of the agenda for the Pakistan Football Federation under the leadership of President Syed Mohsen Gilani and the start of the tournament will give local players a chance to get some long-awaited action.
The 12 teams have been divided into four groups of three each with the top two advancing to the quarter-finals.
Navy, Pakistan Air Force and Mamsons are in Group ‘A’ while defending champions Wapda headline Group ‘B’ and are alongside KRL and Hazara Coal Company.
Army, Railways and International Supply Company are in Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ is completed by SA Gardens, PACA and Nimso.
“It is very important to have domestic competitions so young talent can thrive,” Pakistan national men’s football team head coach Nolberto Solano said during a press briefing on Tuesday.
The head coach added that he hopes to find local players for the upcoming SAFF Under-20 Championship next month.
PFF vice-president Hafiz Zakaullah said that there was a continuous demand for local tournaments.
“This is an initiative of the PFF president Syed Mohsen Gilani to boost local football,” he said.
Sindh Football Association president Azam Khan said the provincial body was looking to hold the event in a grand manner.
“For a long time, nothing was happening but here we are and we hope that the revival of the Challenge Cup is the first step towards more domestic competitions.”
