Challenges faced by Pakistan football and possible ways out for future | Sports

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Pakistan is a country that is famous for cricket, but many people do not know about its long history with football. Since the early 1900s, Pakistanis have loved football, but the game has faced many problems that have stopped it from growing.

Pakistan ports a deep sitting spirit for football, which is in the early 20th century. Despite this enthusiasm, football development in Pakistan has been obstructed due to the confluence of challenges, which includes administrative riots from infrastructure shortages.

Pakistani football discomfort detects multilateral issues and potential ways to restore it.

LED problems

The biggest problem for Pakistan football is poor leadership. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), which began in 1947, was worried about political battles and administrative issues for many years.

FIFA, which operates football, has suspended Pakistan three times since 2017. Recently, in February 2025, FIFA suspended the PFF as it failed to change its rules to ensure fair elections. The suspension was picked up by the PFF in March 2025 after making some changes, but the loss has already been done.

FIFA had constituted a special committee in 2019 to help address these issues and hold appropriate elections. However, this process has been slow and difficult with a lot of delay. Without proper leadership, it is difficult for Pakistani football to develop.

Financial problems

Although PFF from FIFA receives a huge amount every year, this amount was not well used. There are many reports that national team players do not get timely compensation, and football activities across the country are only occasionally.

PFF has not been good at building football fields, training players to train or making a strong league. Without proper use of funds, football in Pakistan cannot be improved.

Despite the FIFA’s financial support under the FIFA Forward 3.0 program, the PFF has struggled to use these resources effectively.

Poor facilities and training

Pakistan does not have such good football fields, training centers, or qualified coaches. This is especially true in rural areas, where most people do not have access to sports facilities.

Unlike cricket, which is the famous Pakistan Super League (PSL), football does not have a regular professional league. The Pakistan Premier League has been irregularly organized, which means that the players do not have enough opportunity to play competitive matches. Without regular sports, players cannot improve their abilities.

To be in the shadow of cricket

In Pakistan, cricket is the most famous sport ever. It gets most of the media’s attention, the help of the fans and the business support. TV and newspapers get very little coverage of football, which means that fewer companies want to support it.

This creates a difficult situation: without media coverage, football sponsor cannot attract people. Without a sponsor, the game cannot grow. And without development, the media will not cover it much.

Cultural obstacles

In some parts of Pakistan, there are cultural barriers that make people especially women playing games. This limits the talent pool for football and makes sports difficult all over the country.

However, there are signs of change. The Gilgit-Baltistan Girls Football League was launched in 2018 by sisters Krisma and Samira Anatiyat, which has given girls 14-21 years from different villages to play football. This has helped challenge traditional ideas and promote equality in sports.

International Performance

Due to all these problems, Pakistan’s national football team did not perform well internationally. The team rarely plays in big tournaments, and this has reduced Pakistan’s ranking in world football.

However, there have been some positive moments. In the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, Pakistan managed to win a historic match against Cambodia. Also, some young Pakistani players like Otis Khan and Aaron Hameed have been successful in playing for clubs in England. These examples show that Pakistani players have skills, but they need better help and opportunities.

Symbols of hope

Despite all these challenges, there are reasons for expecting the future of football in Pakistan.

FIFA ended its suspension in March 2025, which means that Pakistan can again participate in international football.

Grass Roots, such as Gilgit -Baltistan Girls Football League, are helping to promote new capabilities.

Pakistan is aware of the need to improve football.

What is needed to do

Several, several important steps need to be taken in Pakistan for football growth:

Fix the lead: PFF needs to hold fair elections and create stable, transparent leadership.

Use the money from wisdom: FIFA funds should be used to help facilities, train coaches and players.

Prepare better facilities: More football fields, training centers and academies need to be constructed all over the country.

Make a strong league: Pakistan needs a regular professional football league, which is like the Pakistan Super League in cricket.

Increase the media coverage: More TV and newspaper coverage will help football more popular.

Support women’s football: More programs for women and league sports will help develop sports and challenge cultural barriers.

Develop youth programs: Schools and local communities should have a program to identify and train young football capabilities.

Pakistan has a full -fledged history of football and many passionate fans. With the right leadership, proper funding, better facilities, and more help, football can flourish in Pakistan. The recent lifting of FIFA suspension provides a new opportunity to launch fresh.

By tackling these challenges and highlighting positive developments, Pakistan can create a bright future for football. With time and effort, the country can become a strong competitor in international football and give something to please many of its football fans.

The journey will not be easy, but with determination and the right point of view, Pakistan can overcome the obstacles and create a football program that makes the nation proud.