What’s in Store for Pakistan Football in 2025?

The New Year brings a challenging yet exciting calendar for Pakistan’s national football teams, with a series of high-stakes tournaments lined up across various age groups and categories in 2025.

Both the men’s and women’s teams are gearing up for significant continental and regional events, though their participation hinges on the Pakistan Football Federation’s (PFF) ability to provide timely and robust support.

Pakistan Men’s Football

The Pakistan men’s national team faces a critical year with several key tournaments:

• AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: Pakistan will compete for a spot in the prestigious continental event, marking a major test for the team’s development under international exposure.
• SAFF Championship: As regional heavyweights like India and Bangladesh await, Pakistan aims to break their dry spell and assert dominance in South Asia.
• AFC U23 Qualifiers: The nation’s next generation of stars will battle for qualification to the AFC U23 Asian Cup, a critical platform for showcasing young talent.
• SAFF U17 and U19 Championships: Youth teams will get a chance to prove their mettle and gain valuable experience in regional tournaments.
• Asian Cup Futsal Qualifiers: The futsal team will have an opportunity to establish itself on the Asian stage, capitalizing on their agility and technical skills.

Pakistan Women’s Football

The women’s football calendar is equally demanding, with several crucial tournaments awaiting the team:

• AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: Pakistan will look to gain ground in continental women’s football through these qualifiers.
• AFC U17 and U20 Qualifiers: A platform to groom young players, these tournaments will test the resilience and preparedness of Pakistan’s youth setup.
• SAFF U17 and U20 Championships: Regional competitions where Pakistan’s women’s teams hope to make a mark against traditional rivals.

Notably, Pakistan’s women’s futsal team will miss out on the Asian Futsal Qualifiers, marking a setback in this format’s development.

The departure of the men’s team’s most influential head coach also hangs heavy over the side, but Pakistan’s football team has a chance to carve out a defining 2025.