PFF NC names local players for national camp

LAHORE: Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalisation Committee on Friday unveiled the names of home-grown players for the national football team camp in connection with the preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers second round home and away legs against Jordan to be held later this month.

Pakistan will host Jordan on March 21 at Islamabad’s Jinnah Stadium and Jordan will host Pakistan on March 26. Jordan recently played the Asian Cup final.

The national camp will begin here at the Model Town Ground on Monday under English coach Stephen Constantine who is expected to arrive in the city here on Sunday. NC said that overseas players will be included in the final squad.

This correspondent has learnt that England-born midfielder Adil Nabi, who has got his Pakistani passport, and Denmark-based left-back Mohammad Fazal are also expected to be part of the final squad. Sources said that NC is waiting for the clearance of the duo from FIFA.

After training for five days, the team will leave for Islamabad to give finishing touches to the preparations. Jordan are scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on March 19. They have already been issued Pakistan’s visas.

The country’s seasoned goalkeeper Saqib Hanif has also been recalled. He was part of the camp under Stephen for the first round against Cambodia. However, he did not find a place in the final squad.

The support staff includes fitness coach Claudio Altieri, Rogerio Ramos Dal Solio and Noman Ibrahim, both goalkeeper coaches and Muhammad Ali Khan as strength and conditioning coach.

Probables: Goal-Keepers: Salman Ul Haq, Saqib Hanif, Hassan Ali and Abdul Basit; Defenders: Mamoon Moosa Khan, Muhammad Sohail, Junaid Shah, Umar Hayat, Haseeb Khan, Mohammad Saddam, Muhammad Hamza Munir, Kamil Ahmad Khan, Muhammad Adeel; Midfielders: Alamgir Ghazi, Rajab Ali, Ali Uzair, Moin Ahmad, Zaid Umer, Mohammad Zahid Shah, Ali Zafar; Forwards: Shayek Dost, Fareed Ullah, Muhammad Waleed Khan, Muhammad Waheed, Muhammad Adeel Younas, Yasir Arafa.