Sports Bulletin

Islamabad (Sports Desk): The 76th FIFA Congress was the second to be held in Canada after the meeting staged in Montreal in 1976 and got under way with a welcome speech from Concacaf President Victor Montagliani and an address from The Canadian Soccer Association President Peter Augruso.In his own opening remarks, FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted football’s unique power to build bridges in a divided world as all 48 Participating Member Associations get ready to shine at this year's FIFA World Cup and convey a powerful message of unity.“Of course, (IR) Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and, of course, (IR) Iran will play in the United States of America. And the reason for that is very simple, dear friends, it is because we have to unite, we have to bring people together,” said President Infantino.“It is my responsibility; it is our responsibility. Football unites the world. FIFA unites the world. You unite the world. We unite the world. And we have to remember, always, that we have to be positive. We have to be smiling; we have to be happy. There are enough problems around the world. There are enough people who try to divide all over the world. If nobody tries to unite, what will happen to our world? We have to do it.”Update on Global Stand Against RacismPresident Infantino, accompanied by members of the Players’ Voice Panel and FIFA Legends, took the stage to deliver a powerful message on the progress made in the implementation of the Global Stand Against Racism, which was unanimously approved at the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, in May 2024.Since then, FIFA has taken numerous key steps to strengthen the fight against racism, including amending the FIFA Disciplinary Code. In addition, the No Racism Gesture is now in place at all FIFA tournaments, over 12,000 individuals and more than 570 teams have been protected via the FIFA Social Media Protection Service, educational resources have been rolled out as part of the ongoing No Racism campaign and the Players’ Voice Panel representing all six confederations has completed a series of high-profile assignments.“Two years on, while challenges remain, we can say this with confidence: we have made real and meaningful progress. We have turned commitment into concrete action across the global game. Our shared mission continues to guide and strengthen efforts worldwide,” stated President Infantino.Commenting on the importance of the Global Stand Against Racism, the panel’s honorary captain George Weah said via video message: “This movement must go further, deeper into communities worldwide and raise awareness of the negative impact of racial discrimination. Racism is a disease.”Unprecedented investment in footballThe FIFA Congress also approved the FIFA Annual Report 2025, including the cycle budget for 2027-2030, which foresees record-breaking revenue of USD 14 billion. This means that an unprecedented amount will be available for FIFA to reinvest in the game, with FIFA’s 211 Member Associations entitled to football development funding representing an eightfold increase as compared to the programmes that were in place prior to 2016, as FIFA Forward investments will reach a new high of USD 2.7 billion.“Let me just say that, obviously, (FIFA) Forward Programme has made a big impact. In the last ten years, we have invested USD 5 billion in football development,” said Infantino.“It is crucially important that we do invest and it is crucially important that we increase our investment programmes. And I can assure you, as well, that these (USD) 2.7 billion that we are investing in the next cycle for Forward are just the starting point, are just the minimum of what we do and (what) we want to do and will do definitely, as well, much, much more,” he added. “(This USD) 2.7 billion, this corresponds to eight times more than what was done in the past.”Statements by the Palestine Football Association and the Israel Football AssociationThe FIFA Congress heard statements by the Palestine Football Association (PFA) and the Israel Football Association (IFA) as President Infantino paid tribute to the innocent victims of violence in the region and insisted on the importance of using football to build bridges.The original submission made by the PFA at the 74th FIFA Congress was handled by the relevant FIFA instances.“You should never forget something: your two federations have the same rights. The right to organise football in your respective territories, the right to represent your countries on the international stage, and the right and duty to instil in your children a love of football and respect for one another,” Infantino said.Update on the 77th FIFA CongressThe FIFA President stated that he intends to stand for re-election next year, and it was confirmed that this electoral event, the 77th FIFA Congress, will take place on Thursday, 18 March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco. Before that, a virtual Extraordinary FIFA Congress, intended as a stand-alone event to appoint the hosts of the 2031 and 2035 editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™, will take place on Monday, 23 November 2026.

Lahore (PFF Report): Pakistan played with heart and intensity but fell to a 1-0 loss to Azerbaijan in their final game of the UEFA Under-16 Development Tournament at the BIIK Sports Complex in Shymkent, Kazakhstan on Thursday.Having dominated for the majority of the match, Pakistan conceded late on when Azerbaijan’s Nazim Aliyev scored from close range before holding on with 10 players after defender Hamza was sent off.The defeat meant Pakistan ended the tournament at the bottom of the standings, having earlier suffered defeats to hosts Kazakhstan and Russia. However, coach Mohammad Essa hailed the learning experience for his young charges.“We played really positive football today with good attacking and build up play,” said Essa. “This is a learning tournament for us with Pakistan participating in UEFA competition for the first time and I think the boys played with a lot of spirit and determination. “With more exposure I have no doubt that we will learn more and I thank PFF president Mohsen Gilani for arranging this opportunity for us.”Pakistan started with purpose against Azerbaijan, who had beaten Kazakhstan on penalties in their last match, with the midfield and forward line combining well and the consistent press giving their opponents little room.They grew into the game and striker Danish Masih’s introduction in the second half saw several chances being created.However, Azerbaijan struck on the counter in the 77th minute when Pakistan lost possession and the ball was played to Aliyev.Pakistan finished with 10 players when Hamza was shown a straight red in the 86th and despite pouring forward in the dying minutes, they couldn’t get an equaliser.

Lahore (PR): The Pakistan Football Federation delegation led by president Syed Mohsen Gilani held high-profile meetings after attending the 36th AFC Congress in Vancouver, Canada on Tuesday.PFF president Gilani, vice-president Hafiz Zakaullah and Chief Operating Officer Shahid Niaz Khokhar, who are in Canada for the 76th FIFA Congress on Thursday, met German Football Association (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf, Canada Soccer president Peter Augroso, Chinese Football Federation (CFA) president Song Kai and Tajikistan Football Federation (TFF) vice-president Dzhalilov Iskandor.The DFB offered PFF full support on several avenues including coaches education and women’s football. Neuendorf extended an invitation to Pakistan players and coaches to visit Germany and learn from the high quality footballing ecosystem there. In the meeting with Canada Soccer president, PFF president thanked Canada for their hospitality during the FIFA Congress. With Canada possessing a solid football structure, their cooperation on grassroots football and coach education courses was discussed. Talks for an exhibition series were also held, with the PFF offering its support in activating the Pakistan community in Canada. The CFA chief hailed the diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, terming the two countries as ‘Iron Brothers’. The CFA has offered Pakistan support in futsal training with the PFF inviting Kai for a visit to Pakistan. Both federations agreed to a detailed meeting after the World Cup.The TFF, meanwhile, has offered its support in training Pakistani referees, whilst also assisting in coaching of goalkeepers. Cooperation on women’s football development was also discussed. Tuesday’s meetings were part of a detailed programme of the PFF delegation in Canada, where it will also be meeting officials from several other federations to discuss avenues of football development.

Islamabad (Sports News): The historic decision empowers the FIFA Council, in consultation with the relevant confederation, to establish and approve the registration of a national or representative team under exceptional circumstances where a Member Association is unable to do so. The ultimate aim is to ensure that players are not excluded from international football due to situations beyond their control, in line with FIFA’s statutory principles of universality, inclusion and non-discrimination.“The FIFA Council today approved a momentous amendment to the FIFA Governance Regulations, which enables Afghan female players – including members of the FIFA-funded and FIFA-supported Afghan Women United squad – to represent their country in official international matches as part of FIFA competitions in agreement with the relevant local confederation, in this case the Asian Football Confederation,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.“This is a powerful and unprecedented step in world sport. FIFA has listened to these players as part of its responsibility to protect the right of every girl and woman to play football and to represent who they are. By enabling Afghan women to compete for their country in official matches, we are turning principles into action. FIFA is proud to lead this historic initiative and to stand alongside these courageous players on and off the pitch.”This reform builds on the FIFA Strategy for Action for Afghan Women’s Football, endorsed by the FIFA Council in May last year, and follows the creation of Afghan Women United as a FIFA-supported team providing structured playing opportunities for Afghan women footballers living outside the country. Now, for the first time, these Afghan female players will be able to represent their country in official matches with full sporting recognition.Members of the independent advisory group for the FIFA Strategy for Action for Afghan Women’s Football welcomed the move as a transformative moment.“This decision recognises Afghan women footballers not as victims of circumstance, but as elite players with the right to compete, be seen and be respected,” said Nadia Nadim, who was born in Afghanistan and went on to win over 100 caps for Denmark. “It shows what is possible when sport is guided by values and leadership.”Former Afghanistan captain Khalida Popal added: “For these players, representing Afghanistan is about identity, dignity and hope. Thanks are due to the leadership of FIFA, which listened to their biggest request and delivered a solution that no other sport has ever achieved. This moment also shows that when we stand united, we can achieve more.”Andrea Florence, the Executive Director of the Sport & Rights Alliance, said: “This reform sets a global precedent. It demonstrates that governing bodies can adapt their rules to protect human rights when extraordinary circumstances demand it.”Although the amendment has immediate effect, FIFA will now lead the required administrative and preparatory steps, including team registration and the establishment of an operational and sporting structure. World football’s governing body will provide all necessary resources – human, technical and financial – to ensure a safe, professional and sustainable pathway to official competition.Support packages for Afghan Women United players will continue throughout the transition phase for up to two years, allowing the new structure to evolve while maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding, performance and well-being.The FIFA-funded and -supported team will hold their next training camp from 1 to 9 June in New Zealand, where they will also have the opportunity to face off against the Cook Islands.

Islamabad (Sports News): Pakistan showed immense grit and determination before they eventually fell to a narrow 2-1 loss to Russia in their clash of the UEFA Under-16 Development Tournament in Shymkent, Kazakhstan on Monday.Mohammad Essa’s men fell behind early but levelled the scores in the second half through Shahraz Khan after good work by Danish Masih, only to be reduced to 10 men after which Russia capitalised.“It was a much-improved performance after [the 4-1 loss against] Kazakhstan,” said head coach Essa. “We fought for every ball, we went for every tackle. It is a result that gives us a lot of heart heading into our last game of the tournament against Azerbaijan.”Essa had vowed that Pakistan will give Russia a tough time and his charges did not disappoint even after their opponents took a seventh-minute lead through Aleksandr Braginets’ low drive from the right.The Pakistan defence held firm after that with goalkeeper Naveedullah proving to be a commanding presence in the box to keep the Russians at bay.At the other end, Muhammad Hanzala had Pakistan’s best chance close to the end of the first half when he superbly skipped past a player, only to see his effort parried away by Russia goalkeeper Arseniy Rihelgof.Pakistan came back with renewed purpose in the second half and equalised in the 50th minute when Danish won a superb header which Rihelgof could only pull back into the path of an onrushing Shahraz.With the goal giving them much-needed momentum, Pakistan poured forward only for midfielder Essa being shown a second yellow card in the 72nd, a minute after which eventually Russia bagged the clincher through Maksim Ivanov.The scoreline at the end might not have been in Pakistan’s favour but for the players, who almost went toe-to-toe with much-fancied Russia, it was a massive learning opportunity.“We are thankful that the Pakistan Football Federation under president Syed Mohsen Gilani has given us this opportunity to play in a UEFA tournament and ultimately against Russia,” said Danish. “This will significantly help us grow further.”Goalscorer Shahraz had similar views. “We are very grateful for this opportunity, and at such a high level. We wanted to put up a solid performance against Russia and we were almost there today.”

Islamabad (Sports News): The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) is pleased to announce the departure of the Pakistan U-16 Boys squad to Kazakhstan, where they will compete in the UEFA U16 Boys Development Tournament 2026 from April 24 to 30 at the Namys Stadium Biik Sports Complex.This is the first time Pakistan has found the opportunity to participate in a UEFA event. The 19-member squad, selected by the national coaching staff, represents a blend of promising young talent from across the country. The tournament presents a significant opportunity for Pakistan’s emerging generation to gain high-level international exposure against UEFA-affiliated nations.PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani said: “Access to European competition at this level has historically been out of reach for our young players, and that is a gap we are determined to close. The U-16 age group is where footballers begin to define themselves. This is exactly the kind of tournament where our boys’ character will be tested. And it is exactly the kind of platform we want to provide consistently to our youth teams, because you cannot build world-class players by keeping them local.”The squad departed from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport and will reach Kazakhstan via a stopover in Almaty. THE SQUADGoalkeepers: Samar Razzaq, Naveed UllahDefenders: Muhammad Alam, Hamza Amjad, Maqbool Ahmed, Nadeem Hussain, Abdul Raheem Elahi, Syed Manzar ShahMidfielders: M. Mustafa, M. Essa, Sagar Mehrban, Haroon Rasheed, Shahraz Khan, Abdul Samad, Hamza Yasir, M. HanzalaForwards: Danish Masih, M. Rafay, Kaleem Ullah

Islamabad (Sports News): The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and Beaconhouse School System today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalising a strategic partnership to develop structured football pathways at the school level and promote the sport among young players across Pakistan.The MoU was signed by PFF President Mohsen Gilani and Beaconhouse School System Chief Executive Officer Kasim Kasuri at a ceremony held at Football House in Lahore.Under the agreement, both organisations will collaborate to build a comprehensive grassroots ecosystem, focusing on structured player pathways, talent identification, coaching education, and competitive opportunities for students. The partnership will introduce inter-school football and futsal competitions across multiple age groups, alongside training camps, boot camps, and skill development programmes for both boys and girls.A key pillar of the collaboration is capacity building, with PFF set to deliver certification programmes for coaches, referees, and physical education teachers, as well as specialised training in fitness, performance, and team management. The initiative will also support the establishment of football academies at selected Beaconhouse campuses and provide technical guidance for infrastructure development.Talent identification will be conducted through leagues, camps, and evaluation programmes, with outstanding players recommended for advanced development pathways and scholarship opportunities at youth levels. The partnership will also emphasise values-based engagement, including leadership, resilience, wellbeing, and fair play.Speaking at the signing ceremony, Beaconhouse CEO Mr Kasuri said that Beaconhouse School System would stand shoulder to shoulder with the PFF at the school level and across youth football activities. He reaffirmed the institution’s full support to the federation, adding that Beaconhouse stands ready to contribute to international-level cooperation where required.“I believe football will be more popular in the coming years, and we are excited to sign this MoU that will help develop football coaches and players across all our campuses in the country,” said Mr Kasuri. “I am specially excited by the Football for Mental Health component of this partnership and I look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership.” PFF President Mohsin Gilani thanked the Beaconhouse CEO for the commitment, describing the partnership as a significant step in embedding football into Pakistan’s educational fabric and building a sustainable domestic talent pipeline.The two leaders exchanged gifts to mark the occasion, with President Gilani presenting Mr Kasuri with the official Pakistan national team shirt.As one of Pakistan’s largest private school networks, Beaconhouse brings extensive institutional reach across dozens of cities and hundreds of campuses, providing the PFF with structured access to young players at a formative stage of development. The partnership is expected to significantly strengthen grassroots systems and contribute to a more cohesive national football ecosystem.

Reoort: Ahmed YousafPakistan made a sizzling start to their FIFA Series campaign with a record-breaking 8-0 victory over the Turks and Caicos Islands at the Stade Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan on Thursday.Four goals by four different scorers in the first half time the tone for Adeel Rizki’s side before two more players got their names on the scoresheet as Pakistan surpassed their previous-best victory — 7-0 against the Maldives in September 2022.Pakistan made their attacking intent clear from the very beginning when Mariam Mahmood, fresh from winning the Welsh league title with Wrexham Women, struck the side netting with a shot from an acute angle inside the first four minutes. After Nadia Khan tested Turks and Caicos goalkeeper Archenie Desir with a shot from long range, Pakistan opened the scoring in the 10th minute with Zahmena Malik finding the back of the net. It was 2-0 two minutes later, Aqsa Mushtaq slotting in after a rebound after Mariam had forced a save from Desir.Pakistan continued to press with midfield metronome Layla Banaras showing her quality when she made it 3-0 with a weaving run and smart finish just past the half hour mark.In a game where Pakistan had pinned their opponents in the opposing half for almost the entirety of the match, Mariam got on the scoresheet in the 38th when she expertly volleyed in a cross at the back post.Pakistan continued in the same vein in the second half, Nadia planting a perfect header to a cross from the left in the 56th to make it 5-0.Aqsa scored a pearler to make it 6-0 in the 76th before Layla also got her second with a perfectly-placed shot from outside the box. Isra Khan’s goal in the 81st completed the record-breaking triumph.PFF president Mohsen Gilani hailed the historic win. “I congratulate the players and the coaching staff for creating history. This is the start of a new era for women’s football in Pakistan and I hope the team continues in the same vein in the FIFA series.”

Islamabad (Sports News): The FIFA Team One cohort includes 52 referees, 88 assistant referees and 30 video match officials, who hail from all six confederations and 50 Member Associations, in what is the most comprehensive line-up of match officials in FIFA World Cup™ history. The appointments were made on the basis of FIFA’s long-standing “quality first” principle, while consideration was given to the consistency of the performances delivered by candidates at FIFA tournaments, as well as in international and domestic competitions in recent years.Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer and chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, said: “The selected match officials are the very best in the world. They were part of a wider pool of officials that was identified and monitored over the past three years. They have attended seminars and officiated at FIFA tournaments. In addition, their performances in domestic and international matches were regularly assessed. The selected officials have received, and will continue to receive, comprehensive support from our fitness coaches and medical staff, including physiotherapists and a mental specialist. Our goal is to ensure that they’re in optimal physical and mental condition when they arrive in Miami on 31 May.”“This year’s FIFA World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a 48-team line-up and 104 matches to be contested across the most extensive geographical footprint in the tournament’s history,” Collina continued. “It’ll be the largest FIFA Team One ever, with 41 more match officials than at Qatar 2022. Each of them must be ready to be appointed for a match and to contribute actively to ensuring that the refereeing at the World Cup is a success. The fact that six women match officials have been selected continues a trend that was started four years ago in Qatar as we aim to further develop women’s refereeing.”During the tournament, the match officials will train on a daily basis, with the sessions to feature the participation of local players. Collina commented: “As has been the case at FIFA tournaments in the past, our match analysts will provide the match officials with all the information they need to prepare properly for their games. We’ll leave no stone unturned in ensuring that our match officials are fully prepared, and we’re confident that FIFA Team One will meet the challenges that lie ahead at this groundbreaking competition.”“As at previous World Cups, technology will play an important role in supporting match officials in their decision-making. Goal-line technology, an advanced version of semi-automated offside technology and connected ball technology will be used, while for the first time in World Cup history, fans will be able to see things from the referee’s on-field perspective thanks to the use of new technologies,” Collina concluded.FIFA Director of Refereeing Massimo Busacca said: “The road to the FIFA World Cup 2026 began immediately after the conclusion of Qatar 2022, with a structured programme involving seminars, workshops and continuous monitoring. Throughout this period, all candidates were closely evaluated by FIFA instructors, fitness coaches, doctors and physiotherapists, receiving comprehensive support to ensure that they achieve the highest possible standards at the tournament.”Team One will be based in Miami, where the selected match officials will meet for a ten-day preparation seminar starting on 31 May. Following this event, the video match officials will relocate to Dallas, which will be home to the International Broadcast Centre, while the referees, assistant referees and support staff will remain in Miami.

Lahore (Sports News): The Pakistan Women's National Team is set to depart for Côte d’Ivoire on Monday to participate in the FIFA Series, marking one of the most significant milestones in the history of women's football in Pakistan. At a press conference held in Lahore on Sunday, the team's management, coaching staff, and captain spoke with clarity and conviction: this group is going there to win.Mejzgaan Orakzai, Director of the Pakistan Football Federation Women's Football Department, stated that the team’s participation in their first-ever FIFA event was made possible by efforts by PFF President Mohsen Gilani."I would like to thank PFF President Mohsen Gilani, whose personal efforts have resulted in Pakistan being able to participate in the FIFA Series," she said. "Without his personal involvement and the collaboration of PFF staff we wouldn't have been able to do this."It is a point worth underscoring. The FIFA Series places Pakistan in competition against sides from outside their usual confederation boundaries — Turks and Caicos Islands (CONCACAF), Mauritania, and Ivory Coast (both CAF) — an opportunity that required deliberate pursuit at the highest level of federation leadership."This is a unique opportunity to play outside of our confederation," she said. "We are exposed to different styles of playing, different tactical identities. Our global connections are fostered and developed. This is crucial for the team's growth."The PFF Women's Football Department, which operates as an all-women's unit, is also focused on building an ecosystem that extends well beyond the playing field — creating pathways for women coaches, referees, administrators, and managers at every level of the game.Head Coach Adeel Rizki was measured but unambiguous in his assessment of this squad. "The preparations have been quite strong. I believe this is one of the strongest squads we've had so far. We expect to go there and compete at the highest level and make Pakistan proud."When asked about selection decisions, Rizki outlined a philosophy built entirely on footballing merit — and one that explicitly rejects any division between diaspora and locally-based players."There is no diaspora versus local. We need to keep the balance correct and grow the entire ecosystem. We look at the characteristics and character of the player, their current form, the opponents we are facing, and which players best suit our game model. The question is always: which Pakistani player is best suited for which position. That is how we go about it."He also set out a clear roadmap for where this programme is headed. The short-term target is the SAFF Championship. Beyond that, a qualification spot in the Asian qualifiers. And on the longer horizon — Olympic qualifiers and the FIFA Women's World Cup."With such a strong team in place and strong women around us, these are not unachievable goals," he said.Maria Khan, captain of the Pakistan Women's National Team, carried that same competitive confidence into her remarks and was equally emphatic that the squad functions as a single, unified unit."We don't see diaspora versus local. We see Pakistani players ready to represent their country. We are one team — from the technical staff to the people behind the scenes, to the media, to the women's department. All of us, one team."On facing higher-ranked opposition, including Ivory Coast — a side with World Cup qualification experience — Khan did not flinch. "Playing higher-ranked opponents is nothing new to us. We played the Philippines before, which was also a World Cup team. Since then, the team has grown — not just in experience, but in character and playing ability. Anytime you get to play in these situations, it's an opportunity to do something great. The pressure is on Ivory Coast. It's not on us."She also spoke about what is perhaps the most telling indicator of how far this programme has come: several players in this squad are joining up directly from professional football clubs. "The best sign is the fact that we have players coming from fully professional leagues to represent the country during FIFA windows. That is one of the best signs for our national team."Asked about her favourite memory in a Pakistan shirt, Khan answered without hesitation. "It was back in 2022. Lining up to represent the country for the first time and hearing the national anthem. It just hits different."