![Football: Bend it like Banaras [Dawn]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Layla-Banaras-Pakistan-vs-Kyrgyzstan-2026-AFC-Womens-Asian-Cup-qualifiers-1160x535.jpg "Football: Bend it like Banaras [Dawn]")
Within a month, 19-year old Layla Banaras went from someone a small number of Pakistani football followers knew about to become a nationwide sensation following her breakout performances in the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers.
Category: Player Watch
July9July 9, 2025
Hanna Khan: Texas college soccer trailblazer with Pakistani roots
FootballPakistan.Com caught up with Pakistani-American college footballer Hanna Khan over the summer, talking about life, soccer, and the possibility of representing Pakistan WNT in the future.
June14June 14, 2025
Layla and Marsha eager on Pakistan WNT
Marsha Malik and Layla Banaras spoke with FPDC contributor Trehan Football about getting called-up for the Pakistan women's national team and theur maiden AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification campaign
![Haris Zeb — first Pakistani-origin footballer to feature in FIFA Club World Cup [Geo News]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Haris-Zeb-won-the-2025-OFC-Champions-League-with-Auckland-City-FC-1160x535.jpg "Haris Zeb — first Pakistani-origin footballer to feature in FIFA Club World Cup [Geo News]")
June12June 12, 2025
Haris Zeb — first Pakistani-origin footballer to feature in FIFA Club World Cup [Geo News]
'I want to represent Pakistan': says Pakistani New Zealander footballer Haris Zeb. He will play the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with his club Auckland City FC against the likes of Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Boca Juniors.
![Rayan ruled out of ACQ for Pakistan vs Myanmar [Geo News]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Rayan-Mohammed-at-Dundee-FC-reserves-828x535.jpg "Rayan ruled out of ACQ for Pakistan vs Myanmar [Geo News]")
June4June 8, 2025
Rayan ruled out of ACQ for Pakistan vs Myanmar [Geo News]
Match against Myanmar will proceed without the injured Dundee FC striker, with low probability for Pakistan to include any replacement
![Pakistan’s teenage sensation left struggling for surgery fund [The News]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Muhammad-Sadam-Pakistan-vs-Jordan-2026-FIFA-World-Cup-qualifiers-1160x535.jpg "Pakistan’s teenage sensation left struggling for surgery fund [The News]")
April5April 5, 2025
Pakistan’s teenage sensation left struggling for surgery fund [The News]
One of the breakout stars from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers for Pakistan, defender Muhammad Sadam now in a race against time to arrange surgery for his injured knee and save his football career.
![Pakistan missed golden chance to stun Syria: Essa [The News]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Muhammad-Essa-at-2022-CM-Balochistan-Gold-Cup-1160x535.jpg "Pakistan missed golden chance to stun Syria: Essa [The News]")
March27March 27, 2025
Pakistan missed golden chance to stun Syria: Essa [The News]
Pakistan should have shocked 'underwhelming and unpolished Syrian team,' according to ex-captain Muhammad Essa and The News' Abdul Mohi Shah
![Riaz pleads PM Shehbaz to revive department football [Nukta]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Muhammad-Riaz-meets-PM-Shehbaz-Sharif-with-IPC-Minister-Rana-Sanaullah-Shaza-Fatima-Khawaja-Attaullah-Tarar-and-Rana-Mashood-1160x535.jpg "Riaz pleads PM Shehbaz to revive department football [Nukta]")
March14March 14, 2025
Riaz pleads PM Shehbaz to revive department football [Nukta]
Pakistan's prime minister had invited Riaz to Islamabad after his video went viral on social media where the player was seen making jalebis.
![Shehbaz invites footballer Riaz to PM House [The News]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Muhammad-Riaz-and-PM-Shehbaz-Sharif.jpg "Shehbaz invites footballer Riaz to PM House [The News]")
March13March 13, 2025
Shehbaz invites footballer Riaz to PM House [The News]
Former Pakistan NT star Muhammad Riaz, who was seen selling jalebis in a viral social media video, met the Prime Minister.
![Star soccer player forced to sell ‘jalebis’ [The News]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Pakistan-MNT-former-star-Muhammad-Riaz-forced-to-sell-Jalebis.jpg "Star soccer player forced to sell ‘jalebis’ [The News]")
March10March 10, 2025
Star soccer player forced to sell ‘jalebis’ [The News]
Former Pakistan star Muhammad Riaz shown to be making jalebis in a video widely shared on social media is another sign of players struggling with no signs of govt departments reinstating their football teams.