Pakistan confirmed for AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers

KARACHI: In a major breakthrough for Pakistan’s football, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has confirmed that the men’s national team will compete in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers following FIFA’s decision to lift its suspension on the PFF on Sunday night.

This decision marks the return of Pakistan to international football after a period of uncertainty. The national team has been placed in Group E for the qualifiers, alongside Syria, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. The qualifiers will be played on a home-and-away format, with Pakistan starting their campaign on March 25 in an away match against Syria in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

The suspension was lifted after the PFF successfully made constitutional amendments; a step that was formally approved during an Extraordinary Congress meeting held in Lahore last week.

This move restores Pakistan’s eligibility to participate in international football events, including the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. The suspension had left Pakistan’s future in international football in doubt, but the PFF’s adherence to FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) recommended amendments has cleared the way for Pakistan’s return to competitive football.

In another important development, Stephen Constantine has been reappointed as the head coach of the Pakistan national football team for the upcoming match against Syria. Constantine previously managed the team from late 2023 to mid-2024 and will now return for this crucial qualifier.

During his earlier tenure, Constantine led Pakistan to a historic victory over Cambodia in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and helped the team reach the second round of the qualifiers for the first time in the nation’s history.

A well-known figure in Asian football, Constantine has managed several national teams, including India and Nepal. His successful reign with India was marked by significant improvements in the team’s FIFA ranking and the development of emerging talent.

As the PFF prepares for the qualifiers, the final squad and training schedule are expected to be announced soon. The first match of Pakistan’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying campaign will be held on March 25, 2024, against Syria in Saudi Arabia.

Late on Sunday night, FIFA announced that it had lifted Pakistan’s suspension. A FIFA press release issued on Sunday stated, “The Bureau of the FIFA Council decided on March 2, 2025, to lift the suspension imposed on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on February 6, 2025.”

The release further explained, “The decision was made after the PFF Congress unanimously approved the revised version of the PFF Constitution, which was validated by both FIFA and the AFC, meeting the requirements set forth by the Bureau in its February 6, 2025, decision.”