Pakistan Football Revival Gains Momentum Under Mohsen Gilani’s Leadership
The Pakistan football revival is gathering pace under Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) President Syed Mohsen Gilani. After years of setbacks, the sport is showing clear signs of progress. Many supporters and observers now see a brighter future for football in the country. For nearly a decade, Pakistan football faced major challenges. Administrative disputes, legal issues, and international suspensions disrupted growth. As a result, players had fewer opportunities to compete and develop their skills. The prolonged uncertainty also affected Pakistan’s reputation in global football. In addition, domestic competitions struggled to maintain consistency. These issues created obstacles for athletes, coaches, and football organizations across the country. Since taking office in May 2025, Gilani has focused on rebuilding the sport’s foundations. He has worked to strengthen relationships with key international football bodies. Therefore, Pakistan has started to regain credibility on the world stage. The PFF has increased engagement with FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF). Moreover, cooperation with other national federations has improved. These efforts have helped create new opportunities for growth and development.
National Teams Return to International Competition
One of the strongest signs of recovery is the return of Pakistan’s national teams to international tournaments. Over the last year, teams have competed in several important regional and continental events. For example, Pakistan participated in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers and AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers. The country also featured in the AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers and the SAFF U17 Championship. Women’s football has also gained valuable exposure through the FIFA Women’s Series. Meanwhile, futsal teams competed in AFC Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers and SAFF futsal events.
Building for the Future
Regular participation in international competitions provides valuable experience for players. It also helps improve standards across the football system. Challenges remain, but recent developments offer reasons for optimism. As a result, Pakistan football appears to be moving in a positive direction with renewed purpose and ambition.
