Pakistan’s men’s national football team is preparing to begin its training camp on or around June 1, ahead of the now-reversed AFC Asian Cup Qualifier against Myanmar, pending final approval from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Following consultations with FIFA and the AFC, Pakistan and Myanmar have mutually agreed to swap the order of their home and away fixtures. Under the new arrangement, Pakistan will travel to Myanmar for the first leg on June 10, with the return leg to be hosted in Pakistan. The revised schedule is awaiting formal confirmation from the AFC.
The decision to reverse the fixtures comes as Pakistan prepares for the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) elections, scheduled for May 27. Officials say the move is intended to give the incoming football administration sufficient time to organize and host the international fixture to the required standards.
A PFF source emphasized the need for careful planning and coordination for international matches, noting that such events are scheduled months in advance to ensure smooth execution.
The upcoming Asian Cup Qualifier fixture is viewed as a significant opportunity for Pakistan, both in terms of advancing in the AFC qualification pathway and demonstrating its ability to host international football under a new, democratically elected administration.
Meanwhile, the PFF Normalization Committee is considering whether to hold the national team’s training camp in Pakistan or at an overseas location. According to sources, the camp is most likely to begin on June 1, with English coach Stephen Constantine expected to lead preparations for the crucial tie.