![‘The gap is still huge’: Abdullah on Pakistan’s World Cup dream [Dawn]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Pakistan-celebrate-Diamond-Jubilee-International-Tournament-win-1160x535.jpg "‘The gap is still huge’: Abdullah on Pakistan’s World Cup dream [Dawn]")
Abdullah Iqbal watches the FIFA World Cup from Sweden with a sense of both hope and realism. He sees Iraq and Jordan competing on the biggest stage. He wants what they have. He wants it for Pakistan.But he is also honest about the distance still to travel.“The gap is still huge,” the national football team captain says.
Category: Player Watch
![INTERVIEW: Pakistan’s teenage hero Umar on the goal, the trophy and the dream [Dawn]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Umar-Nawaz-scores-Pakistan-vs-Afghanistan-Diamond-Jubilee-Tournament-2026-1160x535.jpeg "INTERVIEW: Pakistan’s teenage hero Umar on the goal, the trophy and the dream [Dawn]")
July5July 5, 2026
INTERVIEW: Pakistan’s teenage hero Umar on the goal, the trophy and the dream [Dawn]
The boy from Peshawar who ran into history: Pakistan's newest goalscorer Umar Nawaz on survival, sacrifice and a 74-year dream.
![Zidane Iqbal: The footballer who gave Pakistan its first World Cup moment [Al Jazeera]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Zidane-Iqbal-Iraq-vs-Norway-2026-FIFA-World-Cup.jpg "Zidane Iqbal: The footballer who gave Pakistan its first World Cup moment [Al Jazeera]")
June17June 18, 2026
Zidane Iqbal: The footballer who gave Pakistan its first World Cup moment [Al Jazeera]
The Manchester-born Iraq national team midfielder is the first player of Pakistani heritage to feature at a World Cup.
![Layla Banaras: Bridging two worlds, building Pakistan’s women’s football future [Geo Super]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Pakistan-vs-Turks-and-Caicos-Islands-FIFA-Series-2026-1080x535.jpeg "Layla Banaras: Bridging two worlds, building Pakistan’s women’s football future [Geo Super]")
April16April 17, 2026
Layla Banaras: Bridging two worlds, building Pakistan’s women’s football future [Geo Super]
In the evolving landscape of Pakistan women's football, diaspora talent is playing an increasingly important role, and few embody that shift more clearly than Layla Banaras.
![‘We can be one of the best in Asia’: Layla Banaras sets ambitious target for Pakistan [Nukta]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Layla-Banaras-1160x535.jpg "‘We can be one of the best in Asia’: Layla Banaras sets ambitious target for Pakistan [Nukta]")
April16April 16, 2026
‘We can be one of the best in Asia’: Layla Banaras sets ambitious target for Pakistan [Nukta]
by Muneeb Farrukh Pakistan women’s football star Layla Banaras has expressed strong belief in the national team’s potential, stating that...
![Kaleemullah Jr set for Turkish trial, offering glimmer of hope for football revival [TCP]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Kaleemullah-Guam-vs-Pakistan-2026-AFC-U17-Asian-Cup-qualifiers.jpg "Kaleemullah Jr set for Turkish trial, offering glimmer of hope for football revival [TCP]")
March19March 19, 2026
Kaleemullah Jr set for Turkish trial, offering glimmer of hope for football revival [TCP]
Pakistan U17 star Kaleemullah Khan set to go for a trial with Turkish club Fatih Karagümrük SK.
March2March 4, 2026
Five Pakistan MNT players join Bangladesh club
Rao Umar Hayat, Alamgir Ghazi, Hayyan Khattak, Abdullah Shah and Shayek Dost officially join Brothers Union Football Club
![Nolberto Solano praises diaspora players after Afghanistan clash [Nukta]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Nolberto-Solano-1160x535.jpg "Nolberto Solano praises diaspora players after Afghanistan clash [Nukta]")
November3November 3, 2025
Nolberto Solano praises diaspora players after Afghanistan clash [Nukta]
Alam Zeb Safi of Nukta interviewed Pakistan MNT head coach Nolberto Solano. Video from YouTube embedded.
October29October 29, 2025
Ahmed Faraz Gulzari – Soaring like a Shaheen
FPDC sat down with Pakistan MNT's newest sensation Ahmed Faraz Gulzari to discuss his football journey and debuting for Pakistan in the 2027 ACQs.
![PFF struggling to field best squad against Afghanistan [The News]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Pakistan-vs-Myanmar-2027-AFC-Asian-Cup-qualifiers-1160x535.jpg "PFF struggling to field best squad against Afghanistan [The News]")
October6October 6, 2025
PFF struggling to field best squad against Afghanistan [The News]
Funding constraints mean only five out of 13 targeted diaspora MNT players given call-ups so far due to airline ticket costs.