ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Saturday unveiled its squad for the AFC Women鈥檚 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, as the country seeks to uplift its women鈥檚 football program and strengthen its profile in a sport where its men鈥檚 team has also struggled to gain traction.
Pakistan鈥檚 men鈥檚 national team, briefly competitive in regional tournaments in the decades following independence, has long languished near the bottom of Asian rankings amid administrative issues and lack of sustained investment.
In contrast, women鈥檚 football in Pakistan began to take shape in the early 2000s, with the formation of the country鈥檚 first women鈥檚 football clubs in 2002 and the launch of the National Women鈥檚 Football Championship in 2005.
鈥淭he Pakistan Football Federation has named a squad for the upcoming AFC Women鈥檚 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, set to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia from June鈥�29 to July鈥�5,鈥� said the PFF in a statement.
Placed in Group鈥疎, the team will open its campaign on June鈥�29 against Chinese Taipei, confront host Indonesia on July鈥�2 and conclude the group stage against Kyrgyzstan on July鈥�5.
A preparatory training camp, led by Coach Adeel Rizki, will be held at Islamabad鈥檚 Jinnah Stadium from June鈥�19 to 26.
Football enjoys a considerable fan base in Pakistan despite the country鈥檚 cricket dominance.
Athletes have recently expanded into Olympic swimming and achieved international success in javelin, demonstrating a broader ambition to elevate sports beyond one stronghold.
PFF officials say the women鈥檚 squad aims to make a statement on the Asian stage and inspire broader development.
Pakistan will be seeking its first-ever Women鈥檚 Asian Cup appearance, while the men鈥檚 side continues to fight for relevance amid FIFA rankings that reached a historic low before recent suspensions were lifted.
Pakistan鈥檚 national women鈥檚 football team was officially formed in 2010 and has yet to qualify for a Women鈥檚 Asian Cup or World Cup, but played in multiple SAFF Championships and remained a bright spot in domestic football.