In a major boost for Pakistani football, FIFA has officially lifted its suspension on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), allowing the national team to compete in international tournaments once again.
FIFA’s Decision and Governance Reforms
The decision was announced after weeks of negotiations and constitutional reforms demanded by FIFA to address governance issues and ensure transparent elections within the PFF.
The PFF was initially suspended on February 6, 2025, after rejecting amendments to its constitution, which FIFA deemed essential for fair and democratic elections. This marked Pakistan’s third suspension since 2017, all related to third-party interference and election disputes.
However, in a significant breakthrough, an extraordinary PFF Congress meeting in Lahore on February 27 unanimously approved FIFA’s proposed changes, leading to the ban’s reversal.
Pakistan Back in World Cup Qualifiers
The timing of the suspension lift is crucial, as it allows Pakistan to re-enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, particularly a vital match against Syria on March 25.
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Initially, Pakistan had withdrawn from the tournament due to the ban, but with FIFA’s swift intervention, hopes are reignited.
Pakistan, ranked 198th globally, last competed in November 2024, suffering a defeat to Tajikistan in a World Cup qualifier.
Challenges Ahead for Pakistan Football
While the lifting of the ban is a victory, challenges persist. Pakistan’s football infrastructure has suffered from years of instability, requiring urgent reforms and investment.
The focus now shifts to conducting PFF elections, strengthening governance, and preparing the national team for upcoming competitions.
FIFA’s normalization committee, installed in 2019, emphasized that these constitutional reforms will align Pakistan’s football regulations with global standards, reducing political interference.
With the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) setting a March 4 deadline, Pakistan has successfully met the requirement to compete internationally once again.
