By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: After more than a decade of political disputes, FIFA suspensions, administrative uncertainty and missed opportunities, Pakistan football is showing clear signs of revival under the leadership of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) President Syed Mohsen Gilani.
From 2015 to 2025, Pakistan football endured one of the most turbulent periods in its history. Internal conflicts, governance disputes, court battles and repeated FIFA suspensions in 2017, 2021 and 2025 severely hampered the sport’s growth. The prolonged six-year tenure of the Normalisation Committee further restricted domestic football activity and international participation, leaving players and fans frustrated.
Against this backdrop, Gilani’s election as PFF President in May 2025 marked a significant turning point. Within his first year in office, he successfully restored Pakistan’s engagement with FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), SAFF and several international football federations, helping rebuild the country’s credibility within the global football community.
One of the most visible achievements of his administration has been Pakistan’s return to international competition across all levels of the game. Under Gilani’s leadership, Pakistan participated in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers, SAFF U17 Championship, FIFA Women’s Series 2026, AFC Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers, SAFF Men’s and Women’s Futsal Championships and the FIFAe World Cup 2026 qualification campaign—all within a single year.
For the first time in Pakistan’s football history, the country established both Men’s and Women’s National Futsal Teams while also creating a dedicated FIFAe Department and entering FIFAe World Cup qualification events.
Women’s football achieved historic milestones, with Pakistan’s Women’s National Team recording a landmark 8-0 victory during its debut appearance in the FIFA Women’s Series and producing encouraging performances against higher-ranked opponents. Youth football was also revived through regular participation in regional and continental competitions, providing valuable international exposure to young players after years of inactivity.
Beyond the field, Gilani focused heavily on football diplomacy. The PFF strengthened ties with FIFA, AFC and several foreign football federations through cooperation agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at coach education, referee development, youth exchanges, infrastructure growth and professional league development. His administration also secured Pakistan’s highest-ever representation on FIFA and AFC committees, ensuring a stronger voice for the country in international football affairs.
At the development level, the PFF launched FIFA Arena projects, advanced plans for Pakistan’s first National Football Training Centre and accelerated preparations for the country’s first professional football league.
In another major development attributed to the PFF’s renewed engagement with global football authorities under Gilani’s leadership, discussions are underway regarding a historic visit by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to Pakistan. If finalized, it would mark the first-ever visit by a FIFA President to the country. During the proposed visit, Infantino is expected to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and other senior national leaders to discuss long-term football development plans, infrastructure projects and FIFA’s future support for the growth of the game in Pakistan.
While FIFA continues to emphasize the need for constitutional reforms and stronger governance structures within the PFF, many stakeholders believe Gilani’s first year in office has delivered more international engagement, football activity and development initiatives than the country has witnessed in many years.
After a decade marked by crisis and uncertainty, Pakistan football is once again active on the international stage. For many observers, Mohsen Gilani’s first year as PFF President has laid the foundations for a new era—one focused on stability, international cooperation, player development and the long-term growth of football in Pakistan.
