Reports indicate that the Pakistan Sports Board is preparing to send a ‘Pakistan Men’s Football Team’ to Russia for a friendly match next week. This announcement has raised eyebrows, as the team is not comprised of official National Team players but rather a makeshift squad assembled by the Sports Board, bypassing the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).
The situation surrounding Pakistan football continues to be a cause for concern. The men’s international team last participated in an official match in June, competing against Tajikistan during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Since then, the team has been unable to engage in international friendlies due to a lack of resources.
According to Haroon Malik, chairman of the PFF Normalization Committee (NC), Russia expressed interest in playing a friendly match against Pakistan during the current national window. However, the match could not proceed because the NC was unable to secure funding from FIFA, which typically provides financial support for such events under the current circumstances of the PFF.
Despite the PFF NC and FIFA’s decision to refrain from sending a team to Russia, the Pakistan Sports Board is determined to send a makeshift squad. This move could have serious implications for the future of football in Pakistan. If the match occurs, it risks triggering a potential ban from FIFA, which does not permit third-party interference in the affairs of national football federations. However, the outcome of this situation remains uncertain.
Additionally, the rationale behind Russia’s desire to play a friendly against an unofficial Pakistan football team is questionable, as such a match would not typically be recognized in official records. This raises concerns about the legitimacy of the encounter.
Pakistan has already faced multiple bans in recent years, culminating in FIFA appointing a Normalization Committee to oversee football activities in the country. This latest development could further jeopardize the already fragile football structure in Pakistan.
While the match may be pursued to bolster the egos of higher officials in the Sports Board, it is likely to create more significant challenges for a country that is struggling to establish a robust football framework.
