FIFA has formally invited the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) to join its global Football for Schools (F4S) Programme, an initiative aimed at promoting football among children in schools worldwide.
The invitation, sent to PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani, comes as the current cycle of the programme nears its end. FIFA has set a final deadline of December 31 for member associations to confirm their participation.
If the PFF joins, FIFA will provide significant support, including the distribution of 164,940 footballs—based on the number of children aged 4 to 14 enrolled in primary and secondary schools across Pakistan. The federation will also receive a one-time financial contribution of USD 50,000 to help implement the programme.
Participants will gain access to the F4S digital application, which is compatible with smartphones and includes a detailed manual for delivering football education in schools. FIFA will also assign a team of professionals to organise capacity-building courses, either online or in person, to train selected physical education teachers in Pakistan.
Elkhan Mammadov, FIFA’s Chief Member Association Officer, urged the PFF to confirm its interest in the programme by December 31, 2025. If the federation decides not to participate, FIFA has requested that they communicate their decision by the same deadline to allow for resource allocation.
The Football for Schools Programme is part of FIFA’s broader strategy to integrate football into educational systems worldwide, helping young children benefit from the sport and its values.