PAkistan is a country famous for cricket, but many people do not know its long history with football. Since the early 1900s, the Pakistanis have loved football, but sport has been faced with many problems that prevented it from developing.
Pakistan is home to a deep passion for football that dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. Despite this enthusiasm, the development of football in Pakistan was hampered by a confluence of challenges, ranging from administrative disorders to infrastructural deficiencies.
There are multiple problems affecting Pakistani football and explores the potential ways for its resurgence.
Leadership problems
One of the biggest problems for Pakistani football is a bad leadership. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), which began in 1947, was troubled by political fighting and management problems for many years.
FIFA, the World Organization that runs football, has suspended Pakistan three times since 2017. More recently, in February 2025, FIFA suspended the PFF because it has not changed its rules to ensure fair elections. This suspension was lifted in March 2025 after the PFF made some modifications, but the damage had already been caused.
FIFA had set up a special committee in 2019 to help solve these problems and organize appropriate elections. However, this process was slow and difficult, with many delays. Without appropriate leadership, it is difficult for Pakistani football to progress.
Financial problems
Even if the PFF obtains a huge amount each year of FIFA, this money had not been well used. There are many reports that the players of the national team are not paid in time and that football activities across the country only occur occasionally.
The PFF was not good to use this money to build football fields, train players or create strong leagues. Without the appropriate use of funds, football in Pakistan cannot improve.
Although it has received substantial FIFA funding as part of the FIFA Forward 3.0 program, the PFF has struggled to use these resources effectively.
Bad installations and training
Pakistan does not have enough football fields, training centers or qualified coaches. This is particularly true in rural areas, where most people do not have access to sports facilities.
Unlike cricket, which has the popular Super League Pakistan (PSL), football has no regular professional league. The Premier League Pakistani has been maintained irregularly, which means that players are not enough to play competitive matches. Without regular games, players cannot improve their skills.
Live in the shadow of cricket
In Pakistan, cricket is by far the most popular sport. It attracts most of the attention of the media, the support of fans and business sponsorships. Football gets much less coverage on television and newspapers, which means that fewer companies want to sponsor it.
This creates a difficult situation: without media coverage, football cannot attract sponsors; Without sponsors, sport cannot grow; And without growth, the media will not cover it more.
Cultural barriers
In some parts of Pakistan, there are cultural barriers that make people difficult for people, especially women, to play sports. This limits the talent basin for football and makes the development of sport more difficult across the country.
However, there are signs of change. The Gilgit-Baltistan Girls Football League began in 2018 by the Sisters Karishma and Sumaira Inayat, gave girls from 14 to 21 years old in different villages a chance to play football. This helped challenge traditional ideas and promote equality of sports.
International performance
Due to all these problems, the Pakistan national football team has not performed well internationally. The team can rarely play in major tournaments, which has dropped the world football ranking in Pakistan.
However, there were positive moments. During the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Pakistan managed to win a historic match against Cambodia. In addition, some young Pakistani players such as Otis Khan and Harun Hamid managed to play for clubs in England. These examples show that Pakistani players have talent, but they need better support and opportunities.
Signs of hope
Despite all these challenges, there are reasons of hope in the future of football in Pakistan.
FIFA raised its suspension in March 2025, which means that Pakistan can again participate in international football.
Basic initiatives such as Gilgit-Baltistan Girls Football League help develop new talents.
There is an increasing awareness of the need to improve football in Pakistan.
What must be done
For football to grow in Pakistan, several important measures must be taken:
Repair leadership: The PFF must organize fair elections and create stable and transparent leadership.
Use money wisely: FIFA funds should be used to build facilities, train coaches and support players.
Build better installations: More football fields, training centers and academies must be built across the country.
Create a strong league: Pakistan needs a regular professional football league, similar to the Pakistani Super League of Cricket.
Increase media coverage: Greater television and newspaper cover would help more popular football.
Support women’s football: More programs and leagues for women would help develop sport and challenge cultural barriers.
Develop youth programs: Schools and local communities should have programs to identify and train young football talents.
Pakistan has a rich story of football and many passionate fans. With the right leadership, good funding, the best facilities and more support, football in Pakistan could flourish. The recent lifting of the FIFA suspension offers a new chance to start again.
By taking up these challenges and based on positive developments, Pakistan can create a brilliant future for football. Over time and efforts, the country could become a stronger competitor of international football and give its many football fans something to encourage.
The trip will not be easy, but with determination and the right approach, Pakistan can overcome obstacles and build a football program that makes the nation proud.
