![The Renaissance of the Beautiful Game: How 2025 redefined Pakistani football [The Nation]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/PFF-president-Syed-Mohsen-Gilani-meets-FIFA-president-Gianni-Infantino-during-2025-FIFA-Executive-Summit-in-Miami.jpg "The Renaissance of the Beautiful Game: How 2025 redefined Pakistani football [The Nation]")
by Azhar Khan
LAHORE – After a prolonged and challenging period of administrative uncertainty, history will look back at 2025 not merely as another year on the calendar, but as the definitive turning point for Pakistani football. It was the year the “sleeping giant” finally stirred. This was a season characterized by revitalisation, systemic credibility, and an aggressive forward momentum that transformed the sport’s landscape.
This profound shift was not just about the matches played or the goals scored; it was about a fundamental overhaul in governance, vision, and international diplomacy that secured the nation’s footballing future. At the epicenter of this metamorphosis stood the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), led by President Syed Mohsen Gilani, whose election ignited a revival built on the twin pillars of institutional stability and global trust. The primary catalyst for this development was a departure from the administrative paralysis of the past.
Under Mohsen Gilani’s stewardship, the PFF transitioned into a model of strategic governance. His philosophy prioritizes long-term structural integrity over the fleeting allure of “short-term appearances.” By ensuring transparency and strict adherence to FIFA and AFC standards, the Gilani administration successfully reset the narrative, restoring a sense of prestige that had been absent for decades. This leadership reset did more than just fix internal mechanics; it rebuilt the bridge of confidence between Pakistan and the international football community.
President Gilani’s tenure has been distinguished by a sophisticated brand of “football diplomacy.” His close personal and professional rapport with the heads of FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and various global Member Associations has reintegrated Pakistan into the vital arteries of the international game. These connections were far from ceremonial; they yielded tangible, historic results.
While high-level dialogues with the FIFA President and Secretary General paved the way for a landmark FIFA presidential visit to Pakistan, the historic visit of AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa sent a resounding message across the continent: Pakistan is back. This was further solidified by the unprecedented appointment of four Pakistanis to AFC Standing Committees, marking the first time the nation has held such significant influence in continental governance.
On the field of play, 2025 delivered milestones that were once thought impossible. Perhaps most poignant was the resurgence of the Women’s National Team. For the first time in history, Pakistan’s women were granted the opportunity to compete in a FIFA event, with their inclusion in the 2026 FIFA Series in Ivory Coast. This is a clear indicator of FIFA’s renewed faith in the PFF’s strategic prioritization of the female game.
Simultaneously, the PFF expanded its global footprint through a web of strategic alliances. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Azerbaijan Football Association focused on youth and refereeing, while partnerships with the Chinese and Saudi Arabian federations strengthened the technical and developmental ecology of the sport in Pakistan.
The PFF’s commitment to capacity building also reached new heights. A partnership with the FIFA Masters Alumni Association provided Pakistani professionals with world-class internship opportunities, while collaborations with the Japan Football Association and La Liga, involving leadership linked to icons like Real Madrid and Barcelona, opened doors for coaching excellence and league structuring.
This technical evolution bore fruit in the youth sectors; the Boys U17 squad’s second-place finish in the AFC qualifiers in Kyrgyzstan, including a record-breaking 11-0 victory over Guam, proved that enhanced coaching and international exposure are already paying dividends.
At the grassroots level, the “FIFA Football for Schools” initiative redefined the game’s reach. By engaging over 300,000 students across 300 schools and distributing 150,000 footballs, the PFF has established a long-term talent pipeline that ensures the game is accessible to every child, regardless of their background. Furthermore, football in Pakistan has evolved into a potent instrument for social change.
As one of only five nations selected for the UN Youth program’s mental health initiative, and a participant in the UN “Football for the Goals,” the PFF has aligned the sport with global sustainable development goals, proving that a federation can lead with a conscience.
The structural shift in women’s football has been equally revolutionary. By securing specialized FIFA funding to institutionalize the Women’s Football Department and appointing international experts like Iranian futsal legend Fatemeh Sharif as Head Coach, the PFF has moved from neglect to national focus. This progressive mindset was epitomized by the appointment of the first-ever female manager for the Men’s U17 team, a bold move toward inclusivity.
Technical depth was further bolstered by the appointment of former English Premier League star Nolberto Solano as Head Coach of the Men’s National and U23 teams, supported by Argentine fitness expert Jorge Fletcher. These elite appointments were mirrored by an infrastructure boom. The arrival of FIFA Arena Mini Pitches in Lahore and Islamabad, alongside negotiations for a dedicated FIFA Football Academy and a National Training Centre, ensures that the stars of tomorrow will have the facilities they deserve.
In just six months, President Mohsen Gilani has achieved what eluded the sport for decades. The year 2025 stands as the year Pakistani football reclaimed its identity. It was a year where administrative order met global ambition, and where personal reputation was translated into national progress.
If 2025 was the year of resurrection, the future offers the promise of sustained, competitive growth. Pakistan is no longer on the periphery; it is firmly at the heart of the global football conversation. The horizon for Pakistan’s footballers has never looked brighter.