Gilani discusses football collaboration with FIFA executives

LAHORE: President of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Mohsen Gilani, made a compelling case for Pakistan’s football development at the FIFA Executive Summit 2025 in Miami, where he engaged top football executives to advocate for stronger global collaboration.

During the summit, Gilani met with FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, who reaffirmed FIFA’s commitment to advancing football in Pakistan. Grafstrom assured the PFF of continued support in strengthening both technical and administrative infrastructure across the country.

Gilani also held discussions with FIFA’s Global Chief of Football Arsene Wenger, and Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA Senior Vice President. The talks focused on grassroots initiatives, youth development, and regional cooperation.

On the sidelines of the summit, Gilani networked with regional stakeholders including Jaswar Umar, President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL), and Ugyen Wangchuk, General Secretary of the Bhutan Football Federation (BFF), further broadening PFF’s diplomatic football ties in South Asia.

These engagements come as part of a renewed global endorsement for Pakistan’s football ambitions, following a series of governance reforms and the election of a new PFF Executive Committee. With key partnerships on the horizon, Gilani’s presence in Miami marks a crucial step in reinvigorating Pakistan’s place on the international football map.