Pakistani Football Players Struggle Financially Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

Islamabad – Pakistani football players are facing severe financial hardships as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier against Cambodia, scheduled for October 12 and 17. Despite recent promises and the lifting of FIFA’s ban, the players have not received payment for their participation in various tournaments over the past four months.

Representing Pakistan in the four-nation cup in Mauritius in June, followed by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship in India and the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Bahrain, the players are collectively owed approximately PKR1 million each in unpaid dues.

Initially told that their payments would be processed by mid-July, the players saw the deadline come and go without any funds. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) then cited a delay until mid-August, but even that extended date has failed to bring any relief. Reports also indicate that players have not been reimbursed for travel expenses to attend training camps, with some players having to contribute to cover their teammates’ travel costs.

The PFF has cited funding issues as the reason for these delays, despite FIFA’s recent disbursement of funds to the PFF. This situation has raised questions about unequal treatment, as permanent PFF staff members continued to receive salaries while the players remained unpaid.

Adding to the uncertainty, there is no confirmation yet from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) regarding whether Pakistan will host the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier against Cambodia in Pakistan. The Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad was selected as the venue in August, but its approval remains pending.

Diaspora players within the national team have also faced difficulties, including delayed payments and issues obtaining passports, leading to frustration among affected footballers.

In addition to these challenges, the PFF’s management of the national women’s team has come under scrutiny. Players, including former captain Hajra Khan, have made allegations of bullying and unfair treatment. Budgetary constraints have hindered the appointment of foreign coaches, sparking concerns about the development of women’s football in Pakistan.

A PFF official confirmed that the payment delay was due to a funding delay from FIFA but provided no timeline for when the funds would be released. The official stated that the reasons for the delay remained unclear, leaving Pakistani football players and fans anxiously awaiting resolution as they prepare for a crucial qualifier on the international stage.