Pakistan eyes Saudi support for youth football development [Arab News]

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) said on Sunday it has discussed the possibility of Saudi coaches joining Pakistan’s youth setups in a meeting with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) president, as Islamabad seeks support from Riyadh to develop its football infrastructure. 

A PFF delegation comprising the federation’s President Syed Mohsen Gilani, Vice President Hafiz Zakaullah and COO Shahid Niaz Khokhar met SAFF President Yasser bin Hassan Al-Misehal on the sidelines of the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver.

“The discussions covered women’s football, youth development and the possibility of Saudi coaches joining Pakistani youth setups — a move that would bring top-level technical expertise directly into Pakistan’s development pipeline,” the PFF said in a statement. 

The two federations also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting each other across all fronts and at every level of the game, the PFF said.

It added that the engagement reflected the broader spirit of friendship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

“Both sides agreed to a detailed follow-up meeting in Riyadh after the FIFA World Cup, with respective technical teams in attendance, to further develop the areas of cooperation identified in Vancouver,” the PFF said. 

Saudi Arabia has a rich football history, with the Kingdom set to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup on its soil. Saudi Arabia’s domestic football league features some of the most renowned footballers worldwide, helping it command a massive fan following worldwide. 

In November 2022, an impressive Saudi Arabia shocked the world when it beat Argentina 2-1 in a group stage clash of the 2022 football World Cup in Qatar. 

Published in Arab News PK, 3 May 2026