At the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Pakistan Football Federation president Syed Mohsen Gilani met Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, where the Asian Football Confederation reaffirmed its full support for Pakistan football. Sheikh Salman stressed that stability within the PFF is essential for sustained development and praised recent strides in infrastructure and international engagement.
The meeting, attended by PFF vice-president Hafiz Zakaullah and COO Shahid Niaz Khokhar, highlighted concrete improvements including new FIFA Arena pitches, growing international participation and focused efforts on women’s football and community-driven programmes. PFF leaders reiterated their commitment to rebuilding domestic structures and creating more competitive pathways for players across Pakistan.
On the sidelines of the Congress the PFF delegation pursued a series of bilateral talks to expand international cooperation. Discussions with the Football Association of Thailand explored potential team visits and training exchanges, while meetings with the Guyana Football Federation, Namibia Football Association and Barbados Football Association centred on coach education, youth and women’s football development, referee training and futsal programmes.
These diplomatic engagements reflect a deliberate strategy to convert goodwill into technical support and competitive opportunities. With renewed backing from the AFC and growing partnerships abroad, Pakistan football is positioned to advance its infrastructure, coaching standards and talent development toward a more stable and progressive future.
