![‘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: Umar Nawaz
![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.
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
![Pakistan face experience challenge ahead of SAFF U-20 Championship [TCP]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Pakistan-U20-training-camp-in-Islamabad-1160x535.jpg "Pakistan face experience challenge ahead of SAFF U-20 Championship [TCP]")
March7March 8, 2026
Pakistan face experience challenge ahead of SAFF U-20 Championship [TCP]
Pakistan U20 head coach Shehzad Anwar aims to build a competitive squad for SAFF U20 Championship despite a largely inexperienced group of players with limited international exposure
![Footballer who fled Taliban hopes to become ‘Pakistani Haaland’ [BBC]](https://footballpakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Umar-Nawaz-1160x535.jpg "Footballer who fled Taliban hopes to become ‘Pakistani Haaland’ [BBC]")
December16December 16, 2025
Footballer who fled Taliban hopes to become ‘Pakistani Haaland’ [BBC]
11 years on from the APS Peshawar terrorist attack, Umar Nawaz looks back on family tragedy and returning to Pakistan to play for the National Football Team.