ISLAMABAD: Pakistan football is moving into a new phase under Pakistan Football Federation President Syed Mohsin Gillani, who has outlined plans for the country’s first official men’s professional football league with eight franchise teams.
The proposed league is intended to give local players permanent jobs and a more stable professional pathway, while also helping turn football into a self sustaining commercial sport. Alongside the league plan, the federation is pushing ahead with infrastructure work, including stadium upgrades and the construction of FIFA Forward mini pitches.
The roadmap comes after two years of notable results across several levels of the game. Pakistan won its first FIFA recognized international title in 74 years at the Diamond Jubilee Tournament in the Maldives. The men’s national team also advanced to the second round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers for the first time, while the women’s side recorded a major rise in the global rankings.
Progress was also reported at youth and futsal level, with historic performances from the U-16 and U-19 teams and the national futsal team making its debut in Riyadh and Thailand.
To help players adapt to modern standards, the PFF has secured partnerships with football bodies in Argentina, Japan, Saudi Arabia and China. A youth development agreement with La Liga is also in its final stages.
Grassroots development is being expanded through the Football for Schools programme, which is distributing more than 150,000 footballs nationwide and training school teachers in modern coaching methods.
According to the federation, administrative and financial reforms have also been completed, including alignment of the PFF constitution with FIFA statutes, restoration of long frozen bank accounts, and steps to ensure financial transparency and operational autonomy.
The PFF says Pakistan football is now on a path of sustained growth after years of crisis.
