The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has officially named the 23-player squad that will represent the country in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, set to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia, from June 29 to July 5, 2025.
Grouped alongside Chinese Taipei, hosts Indonesia, and Kyrgyzstan in Group E, Pakistan will be aiming to make history by qualifying for the continent’s biggest women’s football event for the very first time.
Led by Head Coach Adeel Rizki, the squad features a blend of overseas-based professionals and emerging local talent, headlined by Captain Maria Khan, who continues to be the heartbeat of Pakistan’s defensive unit and leadership core.
Pakistan Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers Squad:
| Goalkeepers | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jennah Farooki | Aliya Sadiq | Amina Hanif | Anmol Hira |
| Nisha Ashraf | Layla Banaras | Azwa Chaudhry | Aqsa Mushtaq |
| Zeeyana Jivraj | Maria Khan (C) | Marsha Malik | Isra Khan |
| Nizalia Siddiqui | Rameen Fareed | Mariam Mahmood | |
| Sophia Qureshi | Sanah Mehdi | Nadia Khan | |
| Suha Hirani | Zahmena Malik | ||
| Zulfia Nazir |
The qualifiers represent a crucial test in Pakistan’s growing women’s football journey. After years away from the limelight due to PFF’s struggles, the team has a chance to showcase its progress under Coach Rizki’s tenure.
Facing Chinese Taipei (FIFA-ranked in the top 40), Indonesia, and Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan knows qualification won’t come easy. However, with a solid squad and a unified setup, they are well-positioned to compete.
Pakistan’s Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers Fixtures:
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 29 | Kyrgyzstan | Jakarta |
| July 2 | Indonesia | Jakarta |
| July 5 | Chinese Taipei | Jakarta |
With only the group winner progressing to the next round, every match will be played like a final. Pakistan’s women are no longer here to make up the numbers—they are here to compete, inspire, and chase history.
Can Maria Khan’s side rise to the challenge and script a new chapter for women’s football in Pakistan? The road to Australia 2026 begins in Jakarta.
