Football in Pakistan is a weird, beautiful, and often heartbreaking mess. Honestly, if you follow the Pakistan national soccer team, you’re used to the chaos. One day the federation is banned by FIFA, the next they’re making history in front of a screaming crowd in Islamabad.
It’s a rollercoaster.
For decades, the "Green Shirts" were essentially the punching bag of Asian football. We’re talking about a nation of 240 million people that, until very recently, had never won a single FIFA World Cup qualifying match. Not one. But something shifted in late 2023, and even though the 2026 World Cup cycle has been brutal, the landscape doesn't look like it used to.
The Night Everything Changed in Islamabad
Let's go back to October 17, 2023. Jinnah Stadium was packed. People weren't just there for a game; they were there for a ghost. Pakistan hadn't hosted an international match in eight years. Security issues, political infighting, and FIFA suspensions had basically turned the team into nomads.
They were facing Cambodia. The first leg in Phnom Penh ended 0-0. In the 67th minute of the return leg, Harun Hamid—a kid who grew up in the English academy system—hit a half-volley that felt like it broke a curse. 1-0.
That single goal sent Pakistan into the second round of World Cup qualifying for the first time in history. It sounds small if you’re a fan of Brazil or France, but for Pakistani fans? It was everything. It proved that the Pakistan national soccer team could actually compete if given half a chance.
The Stephen Constantine Era and the Reality Check
After that win, the "Constantine Effect" was all anyone talked about. Stephen Constantine is a legend in South Asian football circles. He’s the guy who dragged India from the depths of the rankings into the top 100. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalization Committee brought him in to do the same miracle work.
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But reality is a tough pill.
In the second round, Pakistan was grouped with Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Tajikistan. It was a slaughter.
- Saudi Arabia 4-0 Pakistan
- Pakistan 1-6 Tajikistan
- Jordan 7-0 Pakistan (This one really hurt)
Basically, the gap between "winning a qualifier" and "competing with the Asian elite" was shown to be a literal canyon. By the time the 2026 cycle reached its end, Pakistan was sitting near the bottom of the FIFA rankings again—around 201st.
Constantine eventually finished his tenure in late 2024. Then, in a move that surprised everyone, the PFF hired Peruvian icon Nolberto Solano in August 2025. You’ve probably heard of him if you watched the Premier League in the 2000s. The guy was a wizard for Newcastle United. Now he’s tasked with teaching a squad of kids how to play "Joga Bonito" while the domestic league is still trying to figure out its own identity.
The Diaspora Secret Sauce
Why is the team suddenly better at competing? It’s the diaspora.
If you look at the roster, you’ll see names like Easah Suliman and Otis Khan. These guys didn't grow up playing on the dusty pitches of Lyari or Lahore.
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Easah Suliman is a massive deal. He captained England’s U-17 and U-19 teams. He won a European Championship with England. For a player of that pedigree to switch allegiance to Pakistan is a game-changer. He brings a level of tactical discipline that was missing for thirty years.
Otis Khan is another one. He’s a Manchester United academy product. These players provide a backbone, but it creates a weird tension. You’ve got the "overseas" boys playing alongside local talent who haven't had a proper professional league match in years because of the PFF’s internal drama.
Current FIFA Standings (Approx. Jan 2026)
| Ranking | Nation | Region |
|---|---|---|
| 133 | India | South Asia |
| 176 | Nepal | South Asia |
| 199 | Pakistan | South Asia |
| 202 | Sri Lanka | South Asia |
(Ranking data fluctuates, but Pakistan usually hovers in that 195-202 range lately.)
What Most People Get Wrong About Pakistan Football
People think Pakistanis only care about cricket. That’s a lie.
Go to Lyari in Karachi. They call it "Little Brazil." They live and breathe football. The problem has never been interest; it’s been the "Normalization Committee" vs. the "Local Power Players." FIFA has suspended Pakistan twice in recent years because of "third-party interference."
Imagine trying to build a team when you aren't even allowed to use your own office.
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In early 2025, there was another brief suspension scare, but things settled down by March when the PFF agreed to FIFA's amendments. Now, under the leadership of Syed Mohsin Gilani, there’s a push for a genuine professional league. Without a league, the Pakistan national soccer team is just a collection of individuals, not a cohesive unit.
The Path to 2027 and Beyond
The 2026 World Cup dream is dead for Pakistan, but the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers are the new frontier. Pakistan found itself in Group E for the final round of qualifiers alongside Syria, Afghanistan, and Myanmar.
It’s been a mixed bag. A 2-0 loss to Syria showed the work still needed, but draws against Afghanistan proved the team is becoming harder to beat.
The youth system is also finally showing signs of life. The U-16 team is heading to a UEFA development tournament in Kazakhstan in April 2026. Playing against Azerbaijan and Russia? That’s the kind of exposure these kids need so they don't look like deer in headlights when they eventually join the senior squad.
Key Players to Watch
- Easah Suliman: The defensive general. If he’s not on the pitch, the defense crumbles.
- Harun Hamid: The hero of the Cambodia game. He’s the creative spark in the middle.
- Otis Khan: Currently a brand ambassador for the Multan Sultans (cricket), but his wing play is vital for the football side.
- Muhammad Sadam: A breakout teenage defender who is currently recovering from a major knee injury. He represents the future.
Actionable Insights for the Future
If you actually want to see the Pakistan national soccer team succeed, here is what needs to happen next—and what you can do as a supporter:
- Demand a Domestic League: International friendlies are nice, but players need 30+ games a year at home to develop "match fitness." Support local clubs like Muslim FC or KRL if they ever get a consistent schedule again.
- Follow the Diaspora: Keep an eye on the English National League and League Two. That’s where the next wave of Pakistani talent is being forged.
- Pressure the PFF: Transparency is the only way to stop FIFA bans. Support independent journalism like FootballPakistan.com (FPDC) that holds the officials accountable.
- Watch the Youth: The U-16 and U-19 results matter more than the senior team right now. If those kids get European exposure, the 2030 qualifiers might actually be competitive.
Football in Pakistan isn't dead. It's just waking up from a very long, very complicated nap. It’s going to be a bumpy ride, but after seeing that goal in Islamabad, you’d be crazy to look away now.