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FOOTBALL - National 20 Jan, 2026

PFF appoints Mohammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar as a Chief Operating Officer

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD; The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has appointed seasoned administrator Mohammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) in order to fortify its administrative backbone and modernize the country’s football landscape.The appointment is being hailed by insiders as a landmark shift toward institutional governance. Khokhar, who formally assumed charge of PFF COO on Tuesday, is widely regarded as a pivotal figure in Pakistani football’s survival and subsequent revival.Khokhar’s elevation to the role of COO is backed by a formidable track record. As a former member of the FIFA Normalization Committee, he was a central architect in navigating the federation through a tumultuous decade-long crisis. His ability to steer the sport through administrative deadlock and international isolation earned him a reputation as a sophisticated crisis manager and a stabilizing force in the PFF’s most challenging hours.Beyond his domestic influence, Khokhar brings an invaluable layer of international prestige to the PFF. Highly respected by FIFA, the AFC, and other global footballing bodies, his presence is expected to serve as a bridge between Pakistan and the international football community. His mandate as COO involves more than just oversight; he is tasked with: Aligning the PFF’s internal operational framework with FIFA’s global best practices; leveraging his credibility to enhance Pakistan’s standing in global football circles and implementing long-term administrative strategies to ensure the sport never regresses into the stalemates of the past.With football in Pakistan entering a phase of renewed hope, Khokhar’s appointment signals the federation’s commitment to professionalism. By placing an experienced "Normalization" veteran at the helm of operations, the PFF aims to transform the sport’s infrastructure into a robust and world-class entity.

FOOTBALL - Int News 19 Jan, 2026

FIFA announces line-up for expanded FIFA Series 2026

Islamabad (Sports News): FIFA has confirmed the full line-up of hosts and the composition of the groups for the FIFA Series 2026™, marking a significant milestone in the continued expansion of the initiative for men’s and women’s national teams.Following the announcement of the expanded format in November 2025, the FIFA Series 2026 will feature 48 national teams competing in 12 groups of four teams each during the international match window in March and April. With 48 participating teams – representing almost 25% of FIFA’s 211 Member Associations – nearly a quarter of the global football community will take part in the FIFA Series.Eleven FIFA Member Associations will host the series of events, with Rwanda hosting two groups, bringing the total number of groups to 12. The initiative will include nine men’s groups and three women’s groups, with all six FIFA confederations represented, underlining the truly global nature of the FIFA Series™.The confirmed hosts for the men’s groups are Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Rwanda and Uzbekistan. The women’s contests will take place in Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire and Thailand.Five men’s national teams participating in the FIFA Series 2026 – Australia, Cabo Verde, Curaçao, New Zealand and Uzbekistan – have also qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, further highlighting the competitive relevance of the initiative alongside its development objectives.The FIFA Series also continues to support holistic football development off the pitch. Hosting and Participating Member Associations benefit from hands-on experience in event delivery, operational planning, referee development and competition organisation, mirroring the conditions of major international tournaments and strengthening capacity across multiple functional areas.The FIFA Series 2026 remains fully aligned with FIFA’s Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023-2027, providing national teams with opportunities for cross-confederation competition without adding fixtures to the international match calendar, while promoting technical growth, organisational development and global exchange.MEN'S GROUPSAustralia (AFC)Australia (host)CameroonChina PRCuraçaoAzerbaijan (UEFA)Azerbaijan (host)OmanSierra LeoneSt LuciaIndonesia (AFC)BulgariaIndonesia (host)Solomon IslandsSt Kitts and NevisKazakhstan (UEFA)ComorosKazakhstan (host)KuwaitNamibiaNew Zealand (OFC)Cabo VerdeChileFinlandNew Zealand (host)Puerto Rico (Concacaf)American SamoaGuamPuerto Rico (host)US Virgin IslandsRwanda(CAF) – Group AEstoniaGrenadaKenyaRwanda (host)Rwanda (CAF) – Group BArubaLiechtensteinMacauTanzaniaUzbekistan (AFC)GabonTrinidad and TobagoUzbekistan (host)VenezuelaWOMEN'S GROUPSBrazil (CONMEBOL)Brazil (host)CanadaKorea RepublicZambiaCôte d’Ivoire (CAF)Côte d’Ivoire (host)MauritaniaPakistanTurks and Caicos IslandsThailand (AFC)Congo DRNepalOFC teamThailand (host)

FOOTBALL - National 18 Jan, 2026

CM Bugti assures full support as PFF maps football revival in Balochistan

Lahore (Sports News): A delegation of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), representing PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani, held a high-level meeting with the Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, aimed at reviving and promoting football in Balochistan.The PFF delegation comprised Advisor to the PFF President Eyab Ahmed and Director Legal PFF Ali Akram. The meeting was also attended by Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir, Provincial Minister for Sports Meena Majeed, and Inspector General of Police Balochistan Tahir Khan, highlighting the government’s collective interest in sports development.Discussions focused on the revival and long-term development of football across Balochistan, with particular emphasis on upgrading sports infrastructure and introducing structured youth education and development programmes. Both sides stressed the urgent need to create sustainable pathways for young talent, especially in underserved areas of the province.A key highlight of the meeting was the proposed implementation of FIFA’s “Football for Schools” programme and the establishment of FIFA Arena pitches. These initiatives are designed to strengthen grassroots football, encourage youth participation, and enhance talent identification through modern, community-based facilities.Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti reaffirmed the government of Balochistan’s full support for football and sports development in the province. He assured the PFF delegation that any challenges or administrative hurdles faced by the federation would be addressed on a priority basis, emphasizing that empowering youth through sports remains a core objective of the provincial government.The PFF delegation welcomed the Chief Minister’s commitment and endorsed his vision for sports-led youth empowerment. They reiterated the federation’s resolve to work closely with the government of Balochistan to ensure institutional strengthening, sustainable football development, and the long-term revival of the game in the province through coordinated planning and execution.

FOOTBALL - Int News 09 Jan, 2026

Pakistan U-16 make history with maiden UEFA competition appearance

Lahore (PR): Pakistan football is set to enter a new chapter as the country’s U-16 men’s national team prepares to feature in a UEFA-sanctioned competition for the first time in history, with matches scheduled to be played in Kazakhstan from April 24 to 30.The landmark participation represents a significant milestone for Pakistan’s youth football programme and reflects the renewed international engagement and reform-driven vision of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF). The development comes under the leadership of PFF President Syed Mohsen Gillani, whose tenure has focused on restoring Pakistan’s presence on the global football stage through structured planning, governance reforms, and increased international exposure for emerging talent.Officials within the PFF view the invitation to a UEFA competition as a major endorsement of Pakistan football’s credibility, particularly at the grassroots and youth levels. Competing against international opposition in a high-standard environment is expected to provide invaluable experience to young Pakistani players and accelerate their technical and tactical development. The initiative aligns with the PFF’s broader strategy to strengthen the national football pathway by offering consistent competitive opportunities beyond the regional level. By engaging with UEFA competitions and international federations, the PFF aims to bridge the development gap and prepare future national players for elite-level football. “This is not just a tournament appearance; it is a statement of intent,” a PFF official said, noting that the opportunity highlights Pakistan’s growing acceptance within the international football community after years of administrative challenges and isolation. The U-16 team’s participation is also being viewed as a symbol of renewed confidence in Pakistan football’s governance and direction, showing the Pakistan Football Federation and its leadership’s commitment to long-term planning, youth investment, and international collaboration. The PFF official added: "As Pakistan’s young footballers prepare to test their skills on a European platform, the historic tour is expected to inspire the next generation and reinforce the belief that Pakistan can steadily reclaim its place in global football through structured development and sustained international engagement."

FOOTBALL - World Cup 29 Dec, 2025

FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket demand breaks all records

Islamabad (Sports News): At the halfway point of the ongoing Random Selection Draw ticketing phase, the FIFA World Cup is already breaking records as over 150 million ticket requests have been submitted to date by fans from over 200 countries.The outcome of the current phase that opened on Thursday, 11 December 2025 means the FIFA World Cup 2026 is oversubscribed over 30 times based on verified individual credit card numbers submitted with each ticket application. The demand also represents 3.4 times more than the overall number of spectators who have attended the 964 matches that make up all 22 editions of the competition combined since 1930.“The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to be the greatest and most inclusive show on the planet, with more than 150 million tickets already requested in only the first 15 days, making this edition 30 times oversubscribed - a true showcase of incredible demand from fans from over 200 countries,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.“This overwhelming response from passionate fans is a true representation of how our game is loved globally - we are going to make history in North America when we bring the world together like never before in a celebration of unity and the best of football.”World football’s showcase event will take place from Thursday, 11 June 2026 until Sunday, 19 July 2026 across 16 Host Cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States and features 48 teams competing in 104 total matches.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 26 Oct, 2025

FIFA ASEAN Cup announced as new Memorandum of Understanding is signed in Kuala Lumpur

Islamabad (Sports Desk): FIFA and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) have signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the 47th ASEAN Summit being held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.The new MoU, signed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn, and witnessed by ASEAN Chair and Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato’ Seri Anwar Bin Ibrahim, follows the initial agreement from November 2019, which led to the implementation of various initiatives such as FIFA Football for Schools, joint health campaign messaging and workshops on key educational and development topics across the Southeast Asian region. “The new agreement between FIFA and ASEAN will ensure that both organisations can help make a difference by using football as a vehicle that brings hope and joy to millions of children and young people across Southeast Asia,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “This partnership will help to drive positive football development, social progress and the promotion of healthy lifestyles all across the region.” The new five-year MoU agreement aims to deepen collaboration by leveraging football as a powerful tool for unity, health, and community building, and will focus on five key areas, namely to promote sports integrity, to leverage sports for social and economic development, to ensure football development on and off the pitch, to promote inclusion, and to support climate change resilience. Following the signature of the MoU, the launch of the FIFA ASEAN Cup was confirmed, a regional tournament that will bring together all FIFA Member Associations from the Southeast Asia region, in a format that follows in the footsteps of the successful FIFA Arab Cup. “We are delighted to continue to show our support to the ASEAN community with the launch of the FIFA ASEAN Cup,” the FIFA President said. “This will be a great addition to the regional football calendar, it will be impactful not only in the region, but it will allow the best players in the ASEAN region to shine on the global stage. Through the FIFA ASEAN Cup, we are uniting countries together, and this competition will be a huge success as it will help boost national team football in the ASEAN region and will support the development of our sport across all of Southeast Asia.”FIFA will engage all football stakeholders, including the Asian Football Confederation, the ASEAN Football Federation and the FIFA Member Associations of the ASEAN member states, with the precise format of the tournament to be finalised in due course.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 20 Oct, 2025

Over one million FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets sold out

Islamabad (Sports Desk): With 28 teams having already secured a spot at the FIFA World Cup 26™ and the whole world gearing up for what promises to be a watershed edition of FIFA’s flagship tournament, fans from 212 countries and territories of residence have already purchased over one million tickets following the closure of the Visa Presale Draw sales phase, which was launched in mid-September.Residents of the three host countries – the United States, Canada and Mexico, in that order – have been at the front of the queue, snapping up more tickets than anyone else. England, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Argentina and France – in order of demand – round out the top ten countries in terms of ticket sales.“What an exciting step on our journey toward 2026! As national teams across the globe compete for a place at the historic FIFA World Cup 26, I am thrilled so many football-loving fans also want to be part of this watershed event in North America,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.“Today, we celebrate the sale of more than 1 million FIFA World Cup tickets following the Visa Presale Draw. It’s an incredible response, and a wonderful sign that the biggest, most inclusive FIFA World Cup in history is capturing the imagination of supporters everywhere. Already, tickets have been purchased by fans in over 200 countries and territories, led by our enthusiastic hosts in Canada, Mexico and the United States of America.”Fans, including those who were unsuccessful in the presale phase, can look forward to the next ticket sales window, which will begin later this month. Specifically, on Monday, 27 October, the entry period will open for the Early Ticket Draw, in which single-match tickets to all 104 games, along with venue- and team-specific tickets, will be released.

FOOTBALL - FIFA News 17 Oct, 2025

Argentina and Germany headline top 10 in FIFA Men’s World Ranking

Islamabad (Sports Desk): Spain (1st) have strengthened their grip on top spot thanks to back-to-back victories, shoring up the position they ended Argentina’s reign that stretched back to April 2023.World champions Argentina (2nd, up 1), are hot on their heels, however.Germany (10th, up 2) have reclaimed their place in the top 10 after a brief absence. Their resurgence comes at the expense of Croatia (11th, down 2), who dropped two points in a qualifier for next year's global showpiece in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Elsewhere near the top of the ranking, the Netherlands (6th, up 1) edged ahead of Brazil (7th, down 1), capitalising on the Seleção’s stumble in a friendly against Japan.Amongst the rest of the top 50, Hungary (37th, up 4), Scotland (38th, up 5), Nigeria (41st, up 4) and Romania (47th, up 4) have all reaped the rewards of recent purple patches.Yet the biggest gains come further down the standings. Niger (108th), Lesotho (144th) and the Faroe Islands (127th) have all climbed nine places. The latter’s impressive run, including a shock victory over Czechia (44th, down 5), has earned them a significant points haul.Also making headway in this latest update are Kosovo (84th, up 7), who have reached a historic high, as well as Syria (86th) and Liberia (138th), who have both climbed six places. At the other end, Greece (48th) and Sweden (40th) have both fallen eight places after losing their most recent qualifying matches.Leaders Spain (unchanged)Moves into top 10 Germany (10th, up 2)Moves out of top 10 Croatia (11th, down 2)Matches played in total 173Most matches played 168 teams (3 matches each)Biggest move by points Faroe Islands (up 37.95 points)Biggest move by ranks Faroe Islands, Lesotho and Niger (up 9 ranks each)Biggest drop by points Sweden (down 27.63 points)Biggest drop by ranks Greece and Sweden (down 8 ranks each)Newly ranked teams NoneTeams that are no longer ranked NoneInactive teams, not ranked Eritrea

FOOTBALL - Int News 13 Oct, 2025

Pakistan ready for crucial away clash against Afghanistan, says Solano

Sports Bulletin ReportKuwait City (Kuwait): Pakistan National Football Team Head Coach Nolberto Solano has expressed confidence ahead of the team’s away fixture against Afghanistan in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers, scheduled to be played in Kuwait on October 14.Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Solano said the squad remains focused and eager to build on their previous performance.“We were a little disappointed that we didn’t take all three points in the home game, especially after how we played in the second half,” Solano said. “We’re a team that loves the ball but unfortunately couldn’t score. Still, this is part of the process, these young lads are playing together for the first time and I’m very pleased with their performance.”Responding to a question he said:“We go again tomorrow with the same attitude and desire to win, the focus is on getting three points. It’s football and anything can happen. We’ll also have another chance against Syria at home in November and then again in March, but tomorrow’s game is a key,” he added.Solano confirmed that there would be no major changes to the lineup, adding that all players are fit and ready for action.Captain Abdullah Iqbal echoed his coach’s sentiments, highlighting the team’s belief on their recent progress.“I believe we showed the potential within this squad, after the home game, we felt disappointed because we believed we could have taken all three points. Hopefully tomorrow, we can achieve that,” he added.When asked about his message to the fans, Abdullah said: “I promise we’ll go out there and give everything we have and hopefully, InShaAllah, bring back the three points,” he added.The Pakistan National Team will face Afghanistan at the Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium in Ardiya, Kuwait, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 PM Pakistan Time.

FOOTBALL - Int News 11 Oct, 2025

AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: Pakistan team to depart for Kuwait on October 12

Islamabad (SBR): The Pakistan National Football Team will depart for Kuwait in the wee hours of October 12 on a direct flight from Islamabad for their upcoming away fixture against Afghanistan in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers.The match is scheduled to take place at the Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium in Ardiya, Kuwait, with kickoff set for 10:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time.In the home leg held earlier in Islamabad, Pakistan and Afghanistan played out a goalless draw, earning one point each in Group E of the qualifiers.Pakistan has been drawn in Group E, alongside Afghanistan, Myanmar and Syria.