![‘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.
Tag: pakistan
![The Golden Era of Football: Plans Unveiled for FIFA Forward Mini-Pitches and First-Ever 8-Franchise ‘Profession league [APP]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PFF-president-Mohsen-Gilani-1160x535.jpeg "The Golden Era of Football: Plans Unveiled for FIFA Forward Mini-Pitches and First-Ever 8-Franchise ‘Profession league [APP]")
July9July 12, 2026
The Golden Era of Football: Plans Unveiled for FIFA Forward Mini-Pitches and First-Ever 8-Franchise ‘Profession league [APP]
PFF president Mohsen Gilani at the heart of a revolution altering Pakistan's sporting landscape through football via his proactive diplomacy at FIFA/AFC levels and leading several initiatives for men's, women's and youth football.
![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.
![For new PFF technical director Adeel, success is not defined by history [Dawn]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Adeel-Rizki-and-Suha-Hirani-FIFA-Series-2026-1080x535.jpeg "For new PFF technical director Adeel, success is not defined by history [Dawn]")
July4July 4, 2026
For new PFF technical director Adeel, success is not defined by history [Dawn]
Adeel Rizki is Pakistan’s first technical director since 2021, but more importantly the first appointed by an elected PFF leadership which took charge a little more than a year earlier following 10 years of infighting that pushed the sport in the country in quagmire.
![Future of Pakistani football [Dawn]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pakistan-Diamond-Jubilee-International-Tournament-2026-1160x535.jpg "Future of Pakistani football [Dawn]")
June22July 4, 2026
Future of Pakistani football [Dawn]
Domestically, football has the potential of being a truly national sport in the country, writes Umair Javed for Dawn.
June13June 13, 2026
Pakistan secure historic entry into inaugural Fifa ASEAN Cup [Geo News]
FIFA ASEAN Cup in Sept-Oct window could see Pakistan (198) face Indonesia (118), Thailand (94), Malaysia (136), Philippines (135), Singapore (148) and India (138).
June11June 11, 2026
Pakistan wins Diamond Jubilee International Cup
Shayek Dost’s spectacular strike, Harun Hamid’s late goal gives Pakistan 2-0 victory over Afghanistan in final. Pakistan win a tournament final for the first time in their history. Title triumph is Pakistan’s first at a standalone football tournament in 74 years
June9June 9, 2026
Pakistan football’s long road back [Nukta]
From FIFA suspensions and years of inactivity to a historic final appearance, Pakistan football is finally finding its footing again, writes Assaam Sany.
June7June 7, 2026
Umar, Harun fire Pakistan into Diamond Jubilee Cup final
Pakistan beat Afghanistan 2-0 in Diamond Jubilee Cup Maldives, sends Pakistan to the final of a stand-alone football tournament after 64 years
June4June 5, 2026
Pakistan end 3-year wait for win after beating Maldives
2nd half goals from Umar Nawaz, Abdul Samad Arshad and Harun Hamid also meant Pakistan won its first game over Maldives since 1991