:Pakistan national football team

File:Pakistan national football team 1953.jpg

Shortly after the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) was created, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah became its first Patron-in-Chief. PFF received recognition from FIFA in early 1948.

Pakistan visited Iran and Iraq for its international debut in October 1950.{{Cite web |title=Pakistan Tour of Iran and Iraq 1950 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/paki-ii50.html |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=www.rsssf.org |archive-date=21 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721154213/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/paki-ii50.html |url-status=live }} Pakistan faced Iran in their first official international game in Tehran, losing 5–1 during the Shah of Iran's birthday celebrations. Reportedly the Pakistan national team played the match barefoot, which was the norm back in South Asia.{{Cite web |title=Statistics: Iran [ Team Melli] |url=https://www.teammelli.com/matchdata/details/matchdetails.php?id=11 |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=www.teammelli.com |archive-date=21 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721154214/https://www.teammelli.com/matchdata/details/matchdetails.php?id=11 |url-status=live }} Pakistan also engaged in unofficial friendly matches during the tour, defeating Tehran's Taj FC (now Esteghlal FC) with a 6–1 scoreline and drew 2–2 against a team from Isfahan. In Iraq, due to the Iraqi FA's inability to gather a full national team, Pakistan played an unofficial friendly against the club Haris al-Maliki resulting in a 1–1 draw.

Pakistan's next international outing came in the 1952 Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament where the team played its first match against India after victories over Ceylon and Burma, which ended in a goalless draw and emerged as joint winners of the tournament after finishing with the same points in the table.{{cite web |title=Asian Quadrangular Tournament (Colombo Cup) 1952–1955 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/brindies-quad.html |access-date=2021-07-20 |publisher=RSSSF |archive-date=20 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820110914/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/brindies-quad.html |url-status=live }}

During the 1950s, Pakistan played internationally in the following Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament editions which were played in Burma in 1953, India in 1954, then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1955, and the Asian Games in Philippines in 1954 and in Japan in 1958.{{cite web |last=Ahsan |first=Ali |date=23 December 2010 |title=A history of football in Pakistan – Part I |url=https://www.dawn.com/2010/12/23/a-history-of-football-in-pakistan-part-i/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904220323/https://www.dawn.com/2010/12/23/a-history-of-football-in-pakistan-part-i/ |archive-date=4 September 2022 |access-date=1 March 2014 |website=Dawn |publisher= |location=Karachi, Pakistan}}{{cite web |last=Ahsan |first=Ali |date=23 December 2010 |title=A history of football in Pakistan – Part II |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/593096/a-history-of-football-in-pakistan-part-ii |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217020103/https://www.dawn.com/news/593096/a-history-of-football-in-pakistan-part-ii |archive-date=17 February 2022 |access-date=1 March 2014 |website=Dawn |publisher= |location=Karachi, Pakistan}} Masood Fakhri had most notably scored a hat-trick, and became the first player from Pakistan to do so as his national team thumped Singapore 6–2 in a group match at the 1954 Asian Games in Manila, Philippines.{{cite news |last1=Bhattacharya |first1=Nilesh |date=13 September 2016 |title=Masood Fakhri, ex-East Bengal football star from Pakistan, no more |work=Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Masood-Fakhri-ex-East-Bengal-football-star-from-Pakistan-no-more/articleshow/54311890.cms |url-status=live |access-date=18 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114195219/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Masood-Fakhri-ex-East-Bengal-football-star-from-Pakistan-no-more/articleshow/54311890.cms |archive-date=14 January 2017}}

File:Pakistan and Malaya national football teams for the 1958 Asian Games pictured with Malayan Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman.jpg national teams for the 1958 Asian Games pictured with Tunku Abdul Rahman before their participation in the tournament]]The Pakistan Football Federation became one of the 13 founding members of the Asian Football Confederation on 8 May 1954.{{Cite web |title=AFC's 63rd anniversary: Seven events that shaped Asian football |url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/news/afcs_63rd_anniversary_seven_events_that_shaped_asian_football.html |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=the-AFC |language=en |archive-date=18 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518191829/https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/news/afcs_63rd_anniversary_seven_events_that_shaped_asian_football.html |url-status=live }} Initially scheduled to play against Israel in the inaugural 1956 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, the team withdrew along with Afghanistan due to reluctance to host the Israeli team.{{Cite web |title=Asian Nations Cup 1956 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/56asch.html |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=www.rsssf.org |archive-date=27 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627083522/http://www.rsssf.com/tables/56asch.html |url-status=live }} However, in 1959, Pakistan finally decided to participate in the 1960 Asian Cup qualifiers hosted by India in Kerala, where Pakistan faced Iran, India and Israel twice each in the qualifiers. Although Israel managed to qualify by topping the group, Pakistan achieved a memorable victory over Iran by 4–1 and secure a draw against Israel, finishing in third place in the group, ahead of hosts India but behind Iran.{{Cite web |title=Asian Nations Cup 1960 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/60asch.html |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=www.rsssf.org |archive-date=18 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018102508/https://www.rsssf.org/tables/60asch.html |url-status=live }}

{{football squad on pitch|align=left

| GK = Niaz Gul

| RCB = Irshad

| LCB = Abdul Haq

| RCM = Abid

| DM = Baloch

| LCM = Ghafoor

| RW = Rabbani

| RCF = Abdullah

| LCF = Jehan

| CF = Umer (c)

| LW = Moosa

| caption = Pakistan's starting line-up in 2–3–5 formation at the 1962 Merdeka Tournament final against Indonesia{{Cite web |title=Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Thursday 20 September 1962 |url=https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003221/19620920/179/0013 |via=British Newspaper Archive}}

}}

Pakistan had participated in various friendly tournaments in the early 1960s, with the Merdeka Cup hosted in Malaysia after the country first participation in 1960. Pakistan recorded some famous victories including a 7–0 walloping of Thailand,{{Cite web |title=Merdeka Tournament 1960 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/merdeka60.html |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=www.rsssf.org |archive-date=21 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021222101/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/merdeka60.html |url-status=live }} and a 3–1 win over the Asian powerhouses Japan. Two years later in the 1962 Merdeka Tournament, Pakistan ended runner up after falling to Singapore by 1–2 in the final.{{Cite web |title=Merdeka Tournament 1962 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/merdeka62.html |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=www.rsssf.org |archive-date=3 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803070621/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/merdeka62.html |url-status=live }}

The era also saw one of the finest players to ever grace the field in Pakistan football history, such as Abdul Ghafoor, nicknamed the "Pakistani Pelé" and "Black Pearl of Pakistan",{{Cite news |last=Raheel |first=Natasha |date=2012-09-08 |title=Pakistani Pele was a 'football encyclopaedia' {{!}} The Express Tribune |language=en-US |work=The Express Tribune |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/433130/pakistani-pele-was-a-football-encyclopaedia |url-status=live |access-date=2018-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708022827/https://tribune.com.pk/story/433130/pakistani-pele-was-a-football-encyclopaedia/ |archive-date=8 July 2018}} Moosa Ghazi, Abid Ghazi, Muhammad Umer Baloch, Turab Ali, Murad Bakhsh, Qadir Bakhsh, Maula Bakhsh, Ayub Dar, Ghulam Rabbani, Mohammad Amin, Ali Nawaz Baloch, among others.

During the China national team tour in Pakistan in 1963, the first test in Dhaka in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) ended in a 0–0 tie.{{Cite web |title=China - List of International Matches |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesc/china-intres.html |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=www.rsssf.org |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203102437/https://rsssf.org/tablesc/china-intres.html |url-status=live }} The second match in Peshawar ended in a 3–2 victory for Pakistan, with the third fixture in Lahore ending in another 1–1 draw. The final fourth match in Karachi ended in a 2–0 defeat for Pakistan. The 1964 Summer Olympics qualification the same year included a 4–1 loss in Iran and a 1–0 win in Pakistan. Pakistan visited China the next year for an unofficial test match ending in a 2–0 victory.File:Pakistan in action during the five-nation Friendship Cup Tournament against Iraq in Tehran in 1969.png during the five-nation Friendship Cup in Tehran in 1969]]It was two years before Pakistan played another competitive fixture, when they played in the first 1965 RCD Cup and finished third. In the 1960s, the national team also hosted several teams from China, Soviet Union, Saudi Arabia and most notably Dallas Tornados for unofficial test matches. In 1967, Pakistan lost their Asian Cup qualifiers against Burma and Cambodia and drew their final match against India. They then hosted the second 1967 RCD Cup and finished third. In 1969, they travelled to Iran to take part in a friendly tournament, in which they had a 2–1 win against Iraq and a record 7–0 defeat by Iran.{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesr/rcd-pact.html|title=RCD PACT Tournaments 1965-1974|access-date=11 February 2023|archive-date=6 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006014357/https://rsssf.org/tablesr/rcd-pact.html|url-status=live}} This was before another disappointment at the 1969 and 1970 RCD Cup editions.

Despite the game's growth in the 1960s, Pakistan did not actively participate in the Asian Games football tournaments held in 1962, 1966, and 1970 due to financial constraints. The World Cup qualifiers followed a similar pattern, with Pakistan missing crucial matches because of a lack of interest from the federation and insufficient government support.

As a result of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, East Pakistan became Bangladesh and the Pakistani team lost the right to call upon Bengali players from the Dhaka First Division League. The national team did not compete again until 1973, when the national team toured the far east, which included several test matches against local teams and a friendly against China ending in a 4–7 defeat.File:Parviz Ghelichkhani and Abdul Ghafoor at the 1974 Asian Games, Iran vs Pakistan.jpg with Iran national team captain Parviz Ghelichkhani (left) during the 1974 Asian Games]]

In the early 1970s the national side participated at the 1974 RCD Cup and the 1974 Asian Games. The most notable result in this period included a 2–2 draw against Turkey at the former and a 5–1 win against Bahrain at the latter.{{Cite web |title=Pakistan v Turkey, 18 January 1974 |url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/pakistan-v-turkey-18-january-1974-232688/ |website=11vs11 |access-date=19 July 2023 |archive-date=19 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719002716/https://www.11v11.com/matches/pakistan-v-turkey-18-january-1974-232688/ |url-status=live }}

Later on, the national side participated at the Afghanistan Republic Day Festival Cup in 1976, and held the inaugural Quaid-e-Azam International Cup held in Karachi the same year.

After several years without competitive football activity, in the 1981 King's Cup, Pakistan secured a goalless draw against Indonesia. After a loss to Thailand, they gained a 3–2 victory against Malaysia and although they lost a close game against China, they were able to win 1–0 in their final game against Singapore.

Pakistan hosted the 1982 Quaid-e-Azam International Cup involving Iran, Bangladesh, Oman, Nepal and the youth team Pakistan Blues. The Green Shirts started off with a 2–0 win over Nepal. They then lost to Iran, but came back and beat Bangladesh 2–1. The last game against Oman ended nil-nil and Pakistan ended at the third position behind the Pakistan youth team. However, in 1984, the national team lost 4 out of 5 games in the 1984 AFC Asian Cup qualification, the only victory coming against North Yemen 4–1 with Sharafat Ali scoring a hat-trick.{{Cite web |title=Pakistani goal treat The Straits Times, 16 October 1984, Page 39 |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19841016-1.2.58.27?qt=pakistan,%20yemen,%20soccer&q=pakistan%20yemen%20soccer |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=eresources.nlb.gov.sg}}

The national team hosted another 1985 Quaid-e-Azam International Cup, this time inviting North Korea, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Nepal. A goalless draw against the North Koreans boosted the side, and they beat Nepal 1–0. However, they lost in the final two games against Bangladesh and Indonesia. In the 1985 South Asian Games, Pakistan ended fourth after losing a penalty shoot out to Nepal.

File:Pakistan national football team at the 1986 Fajr International Tournament in Tehran, Iran.jpg]]

After participating at the 1986 Fajr International Tournament, the team finished runner-ups at the 1986 Quaid-e-Azam International Cup involving China, Sri Lanka, Nepal and a South Korean XI. In the 1986 Asian Games, Pakistan lost all their games.

{{football squad on pitch|align=left

|GK=Akhtar (c)

|RB=Dogar

|RCB=Naveed

|LCB=Fida

|LB=Shaukat

|RCM=Iqbal

|LCM=Saleem

|RW=Ejaz

|LW=Wahid

|RCF=Sharafat

|LCF=Ashfaq

|caption=Pakistan's starting line-up at the 1989 South Asian Games final against Bangladesh (Exact formation type and players position unknown) {{Cite web |last=Strack-Zimmermann |first=Benjamin |title=Pakistan vs. Bangladesh |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/33059/Pakistan_Bangladesh.html |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=www.national-football-teams.com |language=en}}}}

In 1987 after participating at the 1988 Summer Olympics Qualification, the side was more successful at the 1987 South Asian Games, winning the bronze medal match against Bangladesh 1–0. In 1988, after losing the 1988 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Pakistan began with their first ever participation for the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for Italy in January and February, ending up unsuccessful. The national team bounced back, when several months later they took Gold at the 1989 South Asian Games, beating Bangladesh 1–0 in the final, from a solitary goal by Haji Abdul Sattar in the dying minutes of the game.{{Cite web |last=Ahsan |first=Ali |date=2010-12-23 |title=A history of football in Pakistan — Part III |url=https://www.dawn.com/2010/12/23/a-history-of-football-in-pakistan-part-iii/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en |archive-date=30 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030230115/http://dawn.com/2010/12/23/a-history-of-football-in-pakistan-part-iii/ |url-status=live }}

{{football squad on pitch|align=right

|GK=Akhtar

|RB=Iqbal

|RCB=Mahmood

|SW=Riaz

|LCB=Tariq

|LB=Tanveer

|RCM=Majeed

|LCM=Zahir

|AM=Sarwar (c)

|RCF=Butt

|LCF=Nauman

|caption=Pakistan's starting line-up in 5–3–2 sweeper formation at the 1991 South Asian Games final against Maldives{{Cite web |last=Strack-Zimmermann |first=Benjamin |title=Pakistan vs. Maldives |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/31526/Pakistan_Maldives.html |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=www.national-football-teams.com |language=en}}}}

Pakistan had another early exit in the 1990 Asian Games, losing all three games. In the 1991 South Asian Games however, Pakistan beat the Maldives in the final 2–0 to win their second Gold, from goals scored by Qazi Ashfaq and Muhammad Nauman Khan.{{Cite web |title=5th South Asian Federation Games 1991 (Colombo, Sri Lanka) |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/safg91.html |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=www.rsssf.org |archive-date=2 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602224657/https://rsssf.org/tabless/safg91.html |url-status=live }} In 1992, the team lost all matches at the 1992 AFC Asian Cup qualification and the 1992 Jordan International Tournament. After again ending unsuccessful at the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification, the team took part in the first SAFF Cup which took place in Lahore in 1993, and the national team finished fourth, but at the 1993 South Asian Games, they were unable to get past the group stage.

In 1995, Pakistan went out of the SAFF Cup group stage on goal difference. Between 1996 and 1997, the team lost all their Asian Cup and World Cup qualifying games. Pakistan came third in the 1997 SAFF Cup, thanks to a 1–0 victory over Sri Lanka in the third place playoff. The 1999 SAFF Cup saw Pakistan finish bottom of their group, and Pakistan also failed to get out of the group stage of the final 1999 South Asian Games to hold full internationals.

File:Sampath Perera and Qazi Ashfaq before the match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, 1997 Gold Cup.jpg during the Third-place match at the 1997 SAFF Gold Cup]]

Pakistan were unable to win any of their 2000 Asian Cup qualifiers. The following year Pakistan achieved their first point in the 2002 World Cup qualification, thanks to a hat-trick by Gohar Zaman in a 3–3 draw against Sri Lanka, but all other matches ended in defeat.{{Cite web |date=2009-11-14 |title=PFF names Gohar as Pakistan U-19 coach |url=https://nation.com.pk/14-Nov-2009/PFF-names-Gohar-as-Pakistan-U19-coach |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=The Nation |language=en-US |archive-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714145621/https://www.nation.com.pk/14-Nov-2009/pff-names-gohar-as-pakistan-u19-coach |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=28 October 2022 |title=Searching for success: Pakistan's long wait for first FIFA World Cup qualifier win |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/searching-for-success-pakistans-long-wait-for-first-fifa-world-cup-qualifier |website=FIFA |access-date=19 July 2023 |archive-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714145614/https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/searching-for-success-pakistans-long-wait-for-first-fifa-world-cup-qualifier |url-status=live }}

In 2002, Pakistan played in an unsuccessful four match series against Sri Lanka. At the 2003 SAFF Cup, under the inspiration of the attacking midfielder Sarfraz Rasool, Pakistan stunned India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in three victories as they reached the semi-finals only to fall short against Maldives by 1-0. Pakistan finished fourth, losing 2–1 in extra time to India in the third place playoff. Later in the year, Pakistan won their first Asian Cup qualifier with a 3–0 over Macao, but still were unable to qualify. They rounded off the year with defeats to Kyrgyzstan in the World Cup qualifiers.

2004 saw changes in Pakistan football, with a new administration in place by this time and a new national league up and running. A victory and a draw against India in a three match series, the final match ending 3–0 in favour to the Green Shirts,{{Cite web |date=2005-06-13 |title=Pakistan-India opening match ends in draw |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/143237/pakistan-india-opening-match-ends-in-draw |access-date=2022-12-06 |website=Dawn |language=en |archive-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120102933/https://www.dawn.com/news/143237/pakistan-india-opening-match-ends-in-draw |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2005-06-19 |title=Pakistan beat India, tie football series |url=https://www.rediff.com/sports/report/foot/20050619.htm |access-date=2022-12-06 |website=Rediff.com |language=en |archive-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120102915/https://www.rediff.com/sports/report/foot/20050619.htm |url-status=live }} followed by the reach in the semi-finals of the 2005 SAFF Cup, losing against defending champion Bangladesh by 0–1 margin.

The Pakistan team lost their first two Asian Cup qualifiers in 2006, in between which they took part in the first 2006 AFC Challenge Cup. They failed to get past the group stage, but beat Kyrgyzstan 1–0.{{Cite web |date=2006-04-06 |title=AFC Challenge Cup: Pakistan face must win situation against Macau |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/186560/afc-challenge-cup-pakistan-face-must-win-situation-against-macau |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en |archive-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120103006/https://www.dawn.com/news/186560/afc-challenge-cup-pakistan-face-must-win-situation-against-macau |url-status=live }} Back at the Asian Cup qualifiers, they lost their remaining fixtures. In the 2010 World Cup qualifiers in 2007, they fell to a heavy defeat by the Asian champions Iraq, losing 7–0 on aggregate across the two legs after drawing 0–0 in the second round.{{Cite web |last=Ahsan |first=Ali |date=2018-01-05 |title=The decade-long decline of Pakistani football after a rare high |url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2018/01/05/the-decade-long-decline-of-pakistani-football-after-a-rare-high/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=These Football Times |language=en-GB |archive-date=6 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206013336/https://thesefootballtimes.co/2018/01/05/the-decade-long-decline-of-pakistani-football-after-a-rare-high/ |url-status=live }} In 2008, Pakistan travelled to Nepal for two friendlies before taking on the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup qualification. Although they won against Chinese Taipei 2–1 in the first match, and beat Guam in a record-equalling 9–2 win in the final match, other results, including a 7–1 defeat to Sri Lanka, saw them again fail to reach the finals.

In the 2008 SAFF Championship, Pakistan failed to go beyond the group stages, losing to Maldives 3–0, India 2–1 and Nepal 4–1, which signaled the end of Akhtar Mohiuddin's tenure as head coach.{{Cite web |last=Hasan |first=Shazia |date=2008-06-09 |title=PFF sacks coach after dismal show in Male |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/306665/pff-sacks-coach-after-dismal-show-in-male |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en |archive-date=16 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916081932/http://beta.dawn.com/news/306665/pff-sacks-coach-after-dismal-show-in-male |url-status=live }} After Mohiuddin's departure, George Kottan was hired and the veteran tactician took the team to the 2009 SAFF Championship. The side were defeated 1–0 by Sri Lanka, before drawing 0–0 with Bangladesh as Adnan Ahmed missed a late penalty to seal a win. Pakistan won against Bhutan 7–0 in their last game.{{Cite web |date=2011-01-08 |title=Comment: A year Pakistan football wants to forget |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/100921/comment-a-year-pakistan-football-wants-to-forget |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en |archive-date=10 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210153622/http://tribune.com.pk/story/100921/comment-a-year-pakistan-football-wants-to-forget/ |url-status=live }}

Kottan was soon sacked in February 2010, Pakistan had no senior games during the entire calendar year. For the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification in 2011, coach Tariq Lutfi was called up once more and failed to deliver. Defeats such as the 3–0 against Turkmenistan and 3–1 against India meant that the side were already out of the qualifiers despite beating Chinese Taipei by 2–0. Later in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in July, Pakistan lost 3–0 to Bangladesh in Dhaka, before earning a 0–0 draw in Lahore a few days later. Pakistan did not qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, being eliminated by Bangladesh in the first round of the AFC qualifying section in 2011, losing 3–0 on aggregate.

That saw the end of Lutfi's reign, with Serbian coach Zaviša Milosavljević taking over in November 2011 right before the 2011 SAFF Championship.{{cite web |date=5 November 2011 |title=Seribia's Zaviša Milosavljević unveiled as new Pakistan football coach |url=http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/05/seribia%E2%80%99s-zavisa-milosavljevic-unveiled-as-new-pakistan-football-coach.html |publisher=Dawn.com |access-date=16 October 2023 |archive-date=4 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104232039/http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/05/seribia%E2%80%99s-zavisa-milosavljevic-unveiled-as-new-pakistan-football-coach.html |url-status=live }} Despite having little time to influence the team, Zavisa managed to hold Bangladesh 0–0, Maldives 0–0 and Nepal 1–1 in the India-hosted 2011 SAFF Championship. However, they were unable to progress into the semi-finals and returned home.

{{multiple image

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| image1 = Pakistan National Football Team against Maldives in 2013.jpg

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| image2 = President of Maldives with Pakistan National Football Team 2013.jpg

| footer = Pakistan in Malé during a friendly against Maldives in 2013

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2012's sole game was witnessed in November against Singapore, who thrashed Pakistan 4–0 at home. Pakistan started 2013 well, winning two games against Nepal with identical 1–0 margins.{{Cite web |date=2013-05-26 |title=Last-gasp Hassan gives Pakistan long-awaited victory {{!}} Football {{!}} DAWN.COM |url=http://dawn.com/2013/02/07/last-gasp-hassan-gives-pakistan-long-awaited-victory/ |access-date=2023-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526093155/http://dawn.com/2013/02/07/last-gasp-hassan-gives-pakistan-long-awaited-victory/ |archive-date=26 May 2013 }}{{Cite web |date=2013-02-09 |title=Football: Mujahid hands Pakistan second successive win |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/505033/football-mujahid-hands-pakistan-second-successive-win |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en |archive-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120102937/https://tribune.com.pk/story/505033/football-mujahid-hands-pakistan-second-successive-win |url-status=live }} A 1–1 draw with Maldives followed, but with congested fixtures Pakistan ended up losing the last game 3–0 in Male.

Pakistan then played the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualification in Bishkek, losing out 1–0 to Tajikistan in injury-time. Pakistan also lost 1–0 against the Kyrgyzstan after scoring in the 1st minute, but comfortably beat Macau 2–0.{{Cite web |date=2013-05-27 |title=Pakistan grab 2-0 consolation win {{!}} Football {{!}} DAWN.COM |url=http://dawn.com/2013/03/22/pakistan-grab-consolation-win/ |access-date=2023-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527095145/http://dawn.com/2013/03/22/pakistan-grab-consolation-win/ |archive-date=27 May 2013 }}

Pakistan played a friendly against Afghanistan in August, losing 3–0 without their foreign-based players. Coach Zaviša Milosavljević was controversially sacked and replaced by Bahrain's Mohammad Al-Shamlan, who acted as a coaching consultant to Shahzad Anwar in the 2013 SAFF Championship. The Shaheens lost their first game 1–0 to India after an own-goal from Samar Ishaq. Against hosts Nepal, Hassan Bashir scored an early goal, only to see 15-year-old Bimal Gharti Magar level things in injury-time. However, Pakistan beat Bangladesh 2–1 but failed to advance to the semi-finals.{{Cite web |title=SAFF C'ship 2013: Bangladesh 1-2 Pakistan |url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/news/saff_c%E2%80%99ship_2013_bangladesh_1-2_pakistan.html |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=the-AFC |language=en |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018054858/https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/news/saff_c%E2%80%99ship_2013_bangladesh_1-2_pakistan.html |url-status=live }} The team participated at the 2013 Philippine Peace Cup at the end of the year.

For Pakistan's campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, they were to face Yemen in Round 1 in the AFC qualifying section. In the first match, Pakistan lost 3–1.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-27 |title=Missing in action - Newspaper - DAWN.COM |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1170583 |access-date=2023-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527185016/https://www.dawn.com/news/1170583 |archive-date=27 May 2023 }} For the second match, Pakistan drew 0–0, eliminating Pakistan from the tournament on aggregate.{{cite web |last= |title=2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - Matches - Asia |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/preliminaries/asia/index.html#275167 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413013136/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/preliminaries/asia/index.html#275167 |archive-date=13 April 2014 |website=FIFA.com}}

Pakistan was suspended from all football activities by FIFA on 10 October 2017,{{cite web |last= |date=11 October 2017 |title=FIFA suspends the Pakistan Football Federation |url=https://www.fifa.com/governance/news/y=2017/m=10/news=fifa-suspends-the-pakistan-football-federation-2913299.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011181900/http://www.fifa.com/governance/news/y=2017/m=10/news=fifa-suspends-the-pakistan-football-federation-2913299.html |archive-date=11 October 2017 |website=FIFA}} after the controversial tenure of the PFF president and politician Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, widely described as a "feudal lord of Pakistani football".{{Cite web |date=8 September 2016 |title=Faisal Saleh Hayat: The feudal lord of Pakistani football |url=https://nation.com.pk/08-Sep-2016/faisal-saleh-hayat-the-feudal-lord-of-pakistani-football |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902112936/https://nation.com.pk/08-Sep-2016/faisal-saleh-hayat-the-feudal-lord-of-pakistani-football |archive-date=2 September 2019 |access-date=2 September 2019 |website=The Nation}}

For three years since March 2015, the top division of the Pakistan Premier League remained suspended because of the crisis created due to his actions, along with the men's senior team, who remained suspended from any international competition, and FIFA rankings of the senior team had slumped from 168 in 2003 to the lowest 201 in 2017.{{Cite news |last=Din |first=Tusdiq |title=Three years without any football - can Pakistan recover? |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45390976 |access-date=2023-06-28 |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628222820/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45390976 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Raheel |first=Natasha |date=15 February 2017 |title=Still no end to PFF crisis |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1328004/still-no-end-pff-crisis/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201045335/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1328004/still-no-end-pff-crisis/ |archive-date=1 December 2017 |access-date=22 November 2017 |website=Tribune.com.pk |publisher=Tribune}}{{Cite web |title=The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking - Associations - Pakistan - Men's |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/associations/association=pak/men/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030075350/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/associations/association=PAK/men/index.html |archive-date=30 October 2017 |access-date=29 October 2017}}File:India vs Pakistan, 2018 SAFF Championship.png at the 2018 SAFF Championship ]]

FIFA restored membership of PFF on 13 March 2018.{{cite web |last= |date=14 March 2018 |title=FIFA lifts suspension of Pakistan Football Federation |url=https://www.fifa.com/governance/news/y=2018/m=3/news=fifa-lifts-suspension-of-pakistan-football-federation.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315211736/http://www.fifa.com/governance/news/y=2018/m=3/news=fifa-lifts-suspension-of-pakistan-football-federation.html |archive-date=15 March 2018 |website=FIFA}}

Pakistan went to Bangladesh to take part in 2018 SAFF Cup which started in September, 2018 which was their first FIFA recognized tournament after a span of 3 years. Pakistan played its first match of the event against Nepal which ended in a 2–1 win.{{Cite web |last=Agencies |date=2018-09-05 |title=Late drama as Pakistan win on international return |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1430941 |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en |archive-date=23 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023082711/https://www.dawn.com/news/1430941 |url-status=live }} Pakistan lost its next match to hosts Bangladesh by 1–0 after conceding a late goal. Green shirts played their final group game against Bhutan which ended in a 3–0 win and sealed their place in semis after 13 years.{{Cite web |last=Bilal |first=Abu Bakar |date=2018-09-08 |title=Pakistan beat Bhutan 3-0 to reach semifinals of SAFF Cup |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1431723 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527103514/https://www.dawn.com/news/1431723 |archive-date=2023-05-27 |access-date= |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}} Pakistan faced arch rivals India in semi final and were ultimately knocked out by 3–1.{{Cite web |date=2018-09-12 |title=SAFF Championship 2018 Semi Final - India beat Pakistan to enter final {{!}} Goal.com UK |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/saff-cup-2018-semis-india-beat-pakistan-enter-final/jgsamccmpz4o1quwujs74d5gm |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=www.goal.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018054858/https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/saff-cup-2018-semis-india-beat-pakistan-enter-final/jgsamccmpz4o1quwujs74d5gm |url-status=live }}

After the SAFF Cup, Pakistan negotiated with the Palestine Football Association for a friendly. It was initially reported that the match will be played in Lahore, Pakistan on 15 November 2018 but Palestine decided to host the event afterwards. Due to visa issues, Pakistan team couldn't fly to Palestine on the desired date. So, the match was played on 16 November in which Shaheens lost by 2–1.

Disappointment would soon strike again as Pakistan lost its chance to pass the 2022 FIFA qualification, losing against Cambodia twice in the first round and was eliminated.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-27 |title=Cambodia strike late to floor Pakistan - Newspaper - DAWN.COM |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1486754 |access-date=2023-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527103511/https://www.dawn.com/news/1486754 |archive-date=27 May 2023 }} The preliminary camp for the matches were controversially organised by two different federations. Faisal Saleh Hayat-led Pakistan Football Federation, which was internationally recognised, and non-FIFA recognised Ashfaq Hussain Shah group, which formed a parallel PFF, coming into power by third-party interference through the PFF elections conducted by the Supreme Court.{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=The Newspaper's Sports |date=2019-05-26 |title=Foreign-based players join Pakistan training camp |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1484596 |access-date=2024-07-02 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}

Pakistan were once again suspended from all football activities by FIFA on 7 April 2021.{{cite web |last= |date=7 April 2021 |title=FIFA suspends Chad and Pakistan football associations |url=https://www.fifa.com/who-we-are/news/fifa-suspends-chad-and-pakistan-football-associations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407143916/https://www.fifa.com/who-we-are/news/fifa-suspends-chad-and-pakistan-football-associations |archive-date=7 April 2021 |access-date=14 April 2021 |website=FIFA}}{{cite web |last= |date=7 April 2021 |title=FIFA suspends Pakistan Football Federation |url=https://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/fifa-suspends-pakistan-football-association |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414160732/https://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/fifa-suspends-pakistan-football-association |archive-date=14 April 2021 |access-date=14 April 2021 |website=Asian Football Confederation}} The suspension was lifted on 29 June 2022.{{cite web |last= |date=29 June 2022 |title=FIFA lifts suspension of Pakistan Football Federation |url=https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/media-releases/fifa-lifts-suspension-of-pakistan-football-federation-pff |access-date=29 June 2022

|website=FIFA |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630164452/https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/media-releases/fifa-lifts-suspension-of-pakistan-football-federation-pff |url-status=live }}

Pakistan made their comeback by playing a friendly match against Nepal in November 2022, losing 0–1 in a late minute goal.{{Cite web |title=Bista's late strike fires Nepal to victory against Pakistan |url=http://kathmandupost.com/football/2022/11/17/bista-s-late-strike-fires-nepal-to-victory-against-pakistan |access-date=2023-05-20 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=English |archive-date=4 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204111540/https://kathmandupost.com/football/2022/11/17/bista-s-late-strike-fires-nepal-to-victory-against-pakistan |url-status=live }} They played a second friendly match against Maldives in March 2023 losing 0–1.{{Cite web |title=Maldives beat Pakistan in friendly match |url=https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/23464-maldives-beat-pakistan-in-friendly-match |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=www.geosuper.tv |language=en-US |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018054859/https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/23464-maldives-beat-pakistan-in-friendly-match |url-status=live }}

Pakistan subsequently took part in the 2023 Mauritius Four Nations Cup featuring Mauritius, Kenya, Djibouti and the 2023 SAFF Championship alongside India, Kuwait and Nepal in the group stages, losing all six matches and finishing last in their group in each competition.{{Cite web |last=Agencies |date=2023-06-28 |title=Pakistan end SAFF campaign with another loss |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1762074 |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018054859/https://www.dawn.com/news/1762074 |url-status=live }}

On 27 July 2023, the draw for the first round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification took place in which Pakistan were drawn once again against Cambodia, followed by the appointment of the English coach Stephen Constantine.{{Cite web |last=Hussain |first=Abid |title=A 'very different' Pakistan? National football team aim to end dire record |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2023/10/11/pakistan-national-football-team-2026-world-cup-qualifier-cambodia |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en |archive-date=16 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016184330/https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2023/10/11/pakistan-national-football-team-2026-world-cup-qualifier-cambodia |url-status=live }} In the first leg in Phnom Penh, Pakistan contested in a goalless 0–0 draw.{{Cite news |last=Aarons |first=Ed |date=2023-10-16 |title=Pakistan brings international football home after a bitter power struggle |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/oct/16/pakistan-brings-international-football-home-after-a-bitter-power-struggle |access-date=2023-10-16 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=17 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017040459/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/oct/16/pakistan-brings-international-football-home-after-a-bitter-power-struggle |url-status=live }} Pakistan won their second leg beating Cambodia 1–0 in Islamabad, due to a goal by Harun Hamid, recording their first-ever victory in World Cup qualifiers in their first fixture at home for eight years, and qualifying for the second round for the first time.{{Cite news |last=Aarons |first=Ed |date=2023-10-16 |title=Pakistan beat Cambodia to register first win in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers history |language=en-GB |work=Geo Sports |url=https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/29020-pakistan-beat-cambodia-to-register-first-win-fifa-world-cup-qualifiers-history |access-date=2023-10-17 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=18 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018054859/https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/29020-pakistan-beat-cambodia-to-register-first-win-fifa-world-cup-qualifiers-history |url-status=live }}

Following the victory in Islamabad, the Shaheens were drawn in a group with Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Tajikistan. Being the 193rd ranked team, Pakistan were the lowest-ranked team in the qualifiers,{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/@footballer.pk/pakistan-celebrates-as-football-returns-with-world-cup-qualifiers-win-ffe2fb81d545|title=Pakistan Celebrates as Football Returns with World Cup Qualifiers Win|date=18 October 2023 |access-date=13 January 2024}} and terminated the campaign losing all the games in the group.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-11 |title=Tajikistan thrash Pakistan 3-0 in FIFA World Cup qualifier |url=https://arab.news/rch6f |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Arab News PK |language=en}}

Pakistan was suspended from all football activities again by FIFA on 6 February 2025 due to failing to adopt a version of the PFF constitution approved by FIFA and the AFC that would have guaranteed fair elections.{{cite web |date=6 February 2025 |title=FIFA suspends the Congolese Football Association and the Pakistan Football Federation |url=https://inside.fifa.com/organisation/media-releases/fifa-suspends-congolese-football-association-pakistan-football-federation |website=FIFA |url-status= |archive-url=}} The suspension was lifted on 2 March 2025 after the PFF agreed to adopt the FIFA and AFC approved constitution.{{Cite web|url=https://inside.fifa.com/organisation/media-releases/fifa-lifts-suspension-of-the-pakistan-football-federation|title=FIFA lifts suspension of the Pakistan Football Federation|website=inside.fifa.com}}

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{{Commons|Pakistan national football team kits}}

The Pakistan national team's home kit has always been a green shirt and white shorts. The colours are derived from the flag of Pakistan which is a green field with a white crescent moon and five-rayed star at its centre, and a vertical white stripe at the hoist side.{{cite web| url=http://www.pak.gov.pk/Flag.aspx| title=Government of Pakistan: Flag description| publisher=Pakistan.gov.pk| access-date=11 December 2007| archive-date=17 January 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117160833/http://www.pak.gov.pk/Flag.aspx| url-status=live}} The away shirt colour has changed several times. The national team has used white shirt with white shorts or white shirt with green shorts. Historically, white shirt with green shorts is the most often used colour combination.

{{See also|List of football stadiums in Pakistan}}

File:Jinnah Sports Stadium track and field.jpg in Islamabad]]

For the first fifty years of their existence, Pakistan played their home matches at various multi-purpose stadiums all around the country, particularly in Karachi. The Hockey Club stadium hosted the 1974 RCD Cup and the inaugural 1976 Quaid-e-Azam International Cup.{{Cite web |title=Quaid-E-Azam International Cup (Pakistan) |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesq/quaid-e-azam.html#76 |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=www.rsssf.org}} The consequent 1982 Quaid-e-Azam International Cup was held at the cricket National Stadium,{{Cite web |date=2006-07-29 |title=SPORTS WORLD: Lyariites mourn Brazil's defeat: PFF striving to develop football on modern lines |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/3303250 |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=Brecorder |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Sport |first=Dawn |date=2010-11-11 |title=Pakistan aim to get good result against Oman in Asiad football |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/580656/pakistan-aim-to-get-good-result-against-oman-in-asiad-football |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}} while the 1985 edition was held at the Peshawar Stadium.

Although the Pakistan Football Federation doesn't own any stadium to date,{{Cite web |last=natasha.raheel |date=2023-10-17 |title=Jinnah Stadium prepared hastily for 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2441568/jinnah-stadium-prepared-hastily-for-2026-fifa-world-cup-qualifier |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}} since the 1980s Pakistan plays majority of their home matches at the Jinnah Sports Stadium in the capital Islamabad which first hosted the 1986 Quaid-e-Azam International Cup, and where the senior team won the 1989 South Asian Games.{{Cite book |last1=D'Amico |first1=Rosa Lopez De |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Nx8nEAAAQBAJ&q=1989+South+Asian+Games+jinnah+stadium&pg=PT150 |title=Women and Sport in Asia |last2=Jahromi |first2=Maryam Koushkie |last3=Guinto |first3=Maria Luisa M. |date=2021-05-30 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-000-39316-3 |language=en |access-date=25 October 2023 |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031152609/https://books.google.com/books?id=Nx8nEAAAQBAJ&q=1989+South+Asian+Games+jinnah+stadium&pg=PT150 |url-status=live }} By the 1990s, the Railway Stadium in Lahore also served as one of the primary venues which also hosted the inaugural 1993 SAARC Gold Cup.{{Cite web |title=Railway Stadium gets all clear to hold President's Cup – Business Recorder |url=https://fp.brecorder.com/2007/08/20070804600663/ |access-date=2024-12-10 |language=en-US}}

By the 2000s, several alternative stadiums emerged such as Karachi's People's Football Stadium and the Punjab Stadium in Lahore located near the headquarters of the Pakistan Football Federation.{{Cite web |date=2009-10-29 |title=AFC gives stamp of approval to Punjab Stadium |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/29-Oct-2009/afc-gives-stamp-of-approval-to-punjab-stadium |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=The Nation |language=en-US}}

The Jinnah Sports Stadium is the largest football stadium in Pakistan with a capacity of over 45,000, whereas the People's Football Stadium is second largest with 40,000.

{{Main|Pakistan national football B team}}

In the Quaid-e-Azam International Cup, two Pakistan national teams usually participated, the Pakistan national football team under the name of Pakistan Greens, and the Pakistan national B team under the name of Pakistan Reds in 1976, Pakistan Blue in 1982, and Pakistan White in 1985, 1986 and 1987.{{Cite web |title=Quaid-E-Azam International Cup (Pakistan) |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesq/quaid-e-azam.html |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=www.rsssf.org}} Alongside the senior national team, the other national team mainly consisted of "second string" or youth international players. Having a two separate teams was very common during the 80s and 90s for developing South Asian countries, both Nepal (Nepal B) and Bangladesh (Bangladesh B) had second string team's. At the Afghanistan Republic Day Festival Cup in 1977, the B team managed by Qayyum Changezi also participated under the name of Shaheen FC.{{Cite web |title=Afghanistan Republic Day Festival Cup (Kabul, Afghanistan) |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesj/jasson76.html#1977 |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=www.rsssf.org}} In May 1978, the team took part in a Youth Tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where the team faced Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Kenya.{{Cite web |title=Youth Tournament in Saudi Arabia 1978 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesr/riyadh-youth78.html |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=www.rsssf.org}}

In June 1993, the Pakistan Football Federation sent an alternate team, designated as "Pakistan A", to the 1993 ECO Cup held in Tehran, Iran, while the main national team was participating in the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The ECO Cup took place from 6 to 14 June 1993, between two rounds of the group A qualifiers including Pakistan, held from 22–30 May (in Jordan) and 12–20 June (in China).{{Cite web |title=1993 INTERNATIONAL MATCHES |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1993matches.html |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=www.rsssf.org}}{{Cite web |title=International Matches 1993 - Asia |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1993as.html |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=www.rsssf.org}} The ECO Cup squad was managed by a completely different coaching staff, with former international players Muhammad Latif and Abdul Ghafoor Ajiz at the helm, and captained by forward Lal Muhammad Lalo, while the main national team at the World Cup qualifers was led by Muhammad Aslam Japani. Few players from that team such as Adeel Sarfraz Butt and Iftikhar Ghani were later selected for the second phase of the qualifiers in China.{{Cite book |last=Bhatti |first=Mukhtar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q3vhOwAACAAJ |title=Pakistan Sports: An Almanac of Pakistan Sports with Complete Records 1947-1999 |date=1999 |publisher=Bhatti Publications |pages=237–250 |language=en}} At the inaugural 1993 SAARC Gold Cup held in Lahore, a second string team named Pakistan White also played exhibition matches against the national sides participating in the tournament.{{Cite web |title=1st SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) Tournament 1993 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/saffgold93.html |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=www.rsssf.org}}

{{Further|India–Pakistan sports rivalries|Afghanistan–Pakistan football rivalry}}

File:Action between India and Pakistan, 1997 SAFF Gold Cup.jpg at the 1997 SAFF Gold Cup]]

Pakistan's arch-rivals in several sports including football are India.{{Cite news |last=Duerden |first=John |date=2023-06-26 |title=India v Pakistan is not a classic football rivalry. But it could be |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jun/26/pakistan-india-football-south-asian-cup |access-date=2024-08-14 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite news |date=2023-05-17 |title=India and Pakistan to renew football rivalry after five years, clubbed in same group in next month's SAFF Cup |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/india-and-pakistan-to-renew-football-rivalry-after-five-years-clubbed-in-same-group-in-next-months-saff-cup/articleshow/100302586.cms |access-date=2024-08-14 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-20 |title=Fever pitch in Bengaluru as India v Pakistan rivalry resumes, this time in football |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/37885950/saff-championship-2023-india-v-pakistan-rivalry-resumes-football-bengaluru |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} The two teams first met at the 1952 Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament, which ended in a goalless draw and both teams crowned champions of the tournament. India first won at the consequent 1953 Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament with a 1–0 win, with Neville D'Souza scoring a goal. Pakistan men’s football team recorded its first official win over India at the 1960 AFC Asian Cup qualification with Abdullah Rahi netting the winner.{{Cite web |last=Parkar |first=Ubaid |date=24 June 2023 |title=India vs Pakistan in football: A rather one-sided rivalry in numbers |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/india-vs-pakistan-football-head-to-head-record |website=Olympics}} Currently, Pakistan has won three games, there have been eight draws and sixteen wins for India among the 27 games played so far.{{Cite web |title=World Football Elo Ratings: Pakistan |url=http://eloratings.net/Pakistan |website=www.eloratings.net}} In addition, both teams have faced each other two times in unofficial exhibition matches after the finalisation of the 1953 and 1955 Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament editions, with Pakistan winning both times by 1–0.{{Cite web |title=Asian Quadrangular Tournament (Colombo Cup) 1952-1955 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/brindies-quad.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820110914/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/brindies-quad.html |archive-date=20 August 2022 |access-date=2023-07-26 |website=www.rsssf.org}}

Pakistan is currently rivals with Afghanistan in many sports, including cricket and football. The national teams of Pakistan and Afghanistan regularly held sporting events in early years, but diplomatic ties were cut after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. The ensuing civil war and political instability in Afghanistan prevented the two sides from meeting again until 2003.{{cite news |last=Bezhan |first=Frud |date=21 August 2013 |title=Historic Soccer Match Brings Unity To Afghanistan |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-pakistan-soccer-unity-celebration/25082095.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905151801/https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-pakistan-soccer-unity-celebration/25082095.html |archive-date=5 September 2022 |accessdate=4 September 2022 |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}} Due to the historical, cultural and political relationship between the two countries, contests against Pakistan generate much enthusiasm amongst Afghan football fans on account of their mutual relations and have been referred to as a "rivalry",{{Cite web |date=2013-08-20 |title=Kabul fever ahead of Afghan-Pakistan clash |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/kabul-fever-ahead-afghan-pakistan-clash-222845717.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAHj2RL_R0iMemS51Fug8w0jwz4cEERx6ZhgmfHqFIiXSsbO5NfktmoiJEPclgiN3km6mtNxXxefcwXnLCijmfi4cMHW03ZjnSGBWkp-F_o4QjNrYh2CuxXh2q9nOvK_ye2QMd9KAcU1MiwgfmJntvCUYG8-KUQUEhhk0CR3MEFEo |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-SG}}{{cite news |date=20 August 2013 |title=Afghanistan beat Pakistan 3-0 in Kabul friendly |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-23766790 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912131103/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-23766790 |archive-date=12 September 2022 |accessdate=12 September 2022 |work=BBC News}} although the interest in Pakistan toward the rivalry and for football in general is more muted.{{cite news |date=20 August 2013 |title=Confident Pakistan ready for historic Afghanistan clash |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1037101 |accessdate=12 September 2022 |work=Dawn}}

{{main|Pakistan national football team results|Pakistan national football team results (2020–present)}}

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future match have been scheduled.

{{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFFFCC|Draw|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFCCCC|Loss|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFFFFF|Fixture|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|format = 1

|round = 2026 World Cup qualification

|date = 6 June 2024

|time = {{UTZ|20:30|5}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|PAK}}

|score = 0–3

|team2 = {{fb|KSA}}

|report = https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288267/400017192

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

• Al-Buraikan {{goal|26||41}}
• Al-Juwayr {{goal|59}}

|location = Islamabad, Pakistan

|stadium = Jinnah Sports Stadium

|attendance = 20,124

|referee = Ammar Mahfoodh (Bahrain)

|result = L

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|format = 1

|round = 2026 World Cup qualification

|date = 11 June 2024

|time = {{UTZ|20:00|5}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|TJK}}

|score = 3–0

|team2 = {{fb|PAK}}

|report = https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288267/400017200

|goals1 =

• Mabatshoev {{goal|35}}
• Safarov {{goal|65}}
• Hanonov {{goal|70}}

|goals2 =

|location = Dushanbe, Tajikistan

|stadium = Pamir Stadium

|attendance = 7,800

|referee = Mooud Bonyadifard (Iran)

|result = L

}}

{{footballbox collapsible|date={{Start date|2025|3|25|df=y}}|time={{UTZ|21:00|3}}|round=2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification|score=2–0|report=|team1={{fb-rt|SYR}}|goals1=*Faqa {{goal|23}}

• Al Somah {{goal|56}}|team2={{fb|PAK}}|goals2=|stadium=Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium|location=Al Hofuf, Saudi Arabia{{refn|group="note"|name=Syria|Syria played their home matches at a neutral venue due to the ongoing Syrian civil war.}}|attendance=|referee=|format=1|result=L}}{{football box collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 10 June 2025

|time =

|round = 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification

|score =

|report =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|PAK}}

|goals1 =

|team2 = {{fb|MYA}}

|goals2 =

|location = Islamabad, Pakistan

|stadium = Jinnah Sports Stadium

|referee =

|result =

}}

{{football box collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 9 October 2025

|time =

|round = 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification

|score =

|report =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|PAK}}

|goals1 =

|team2 = {{fb|AFG}}

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|location = Pakistan

|referee =

|result =

}}

{{football box collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 14 October 2025

|time =

|round = 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification

|score =

|report =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|AFG}}

|goals1 =

|team2 = {{fb|PAK}}

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|location = Afghanistan

|referee =

|result =

}}

{{football box collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 18 November 2025

|time =

|round = 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification

|score =

|report =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|PAK}}

|goals1 =

|team2 = {{fb|SYR}}

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|location = Pakistan

|referee =

|result =

}}

{{football box collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 31 March 2026

|time =

|round = 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification

|score =

|report =

|team1 = {{fb-rt|MYA}}

|goals1 =

|team2 = {{fb|PAK}}

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|location = Myanmar

|referee =

|result =

}}

{{Main|List of Pakistan national football team managers}}

{{See also|List of Pakistan international footballers}}

The following players were named in the squad for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification against Syria on 25 March 2025.{{Cite web |title=Pakistan vs Syria: AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Match Tomorrow {{!}} Nukta |url=https://nukta.com/asian-cup-qualifiers-pakistan-syria |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=nukta.com |language=en}}

Caps and goals are correct as of 25 March 2025, after the match against {{fb|SYR}}.

{{nat fs g start}}

{{nat fs g player|no=1|pos=GK|name=Yousuf Butt|age={{Birth date and age|1989|10|18|df=y}}|caps=30|goals=0|club=Karlslunde IF|clubnat=DEN}}

{{nat fs g player|no=20|pos=GK|name=Adam Khan|age={{Birth date and age|2005|10|24|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Blackburn Rovers U21|clubnat=ENG}}

{{nat fs g player|no=22|pos=GK|name=Saqib Hanif|age={{Birth date and age|1994|04|23|df=y}}|caps=8|goals=0|club=Club Green Streets|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=GK|name=Abdul Basit Ghafoor|age={{Birth date and age|1990|07|01|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=New Radiant|clubnat=MDV}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs g player|no=2|pos=DF|name=Mohammad Umar Hayat|age={{Birth date and age|1996|10|22|df=y}}|caps=20|goals=1|club=WAPDA|clubnat=PAK}}

{{nat fs g player|no=3|pos=DF|name=Mohammad Fazal|age={{Birth date and age|2002|05|29|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=Nordic United|clubnat=SWE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=4|pos=DF|name=Abdullah Iqbal|other=Vice-captain|age={{Birth date and age|2002|07|27|df=y}}|caps=15|goals=0|club=Mjällby|clubnat=SWE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=5|pos=DF|name=Haseeb Khan|age={{birth date and age|df=y|2000|4|4}}|caps=5|goals=0|club=Pakistan Air Force|clubnat=PAK}}

{{nat fs g player|no=6|pos=DF|name=Mamoon Moosa Khan|age={{Birth date and age|2000|11|28|df=y}}|caps=10|goals=0|club=POPO FC|clubnat=PAK}}

{{nat fs g player|no=7|pos=DF|name=Waqar Baloch|age={{Birth date and age|1996|3|2|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=Khan Research Laboratories|clubnat=PAK}}

{{nat fs g player|no=18|pos=DF|name=Abdul Rehman|age={{birth date and age|df=y|2008|2|25}}|caps=2|goals=0|club=POPO FC|clubnat=PAK}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=Junaid Shah|age={{birth date and age|df=y|2003|03|23}}|caps=4|goals=0|club=SA Gardens|clubnat=PAK}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs g player|no=8|pos=MF|name=Rahis Nabi|age={{Birth date and age|1999|04|16|df=y}}|caps=17|goals=1|club=Free agent|clubnat=}}

{{nat fs g player|no=12|pos=MF|name=Umair Ali|age={{birth date and age|df=y|1999|5|17}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=Pakistan Army|clubnat=PAK}}

{{nat fs g player|no=14|pos=MF|name=Toqeer Ul Hassan|age={{birth date and age|df=y|2001|8|25}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=SA Gardens|clubnat=PAK}}

{{nat fs g player|no=15|pos=MF|name=Ali Zafar|age={{birth date and age|df=y|2007|8|28}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Hazara Pioneers FC|clubnat=PAK}}

{{nat fs g player|no=16|pos=MF|name=Ali Uzair|age={{Birth date and age|1996|10|14|df=y}}|caps=18|goals=0|club=WAPDA|clubnat=PAK}}

{{nat fs g player|no=19|pos=MF|name=Moin Ahmed|age={{Birth date and age|2003|11|28|df=y}}|caps=5|goals=0|club=Khan Research Laboratories|clubnat=PAK}}

{{nat fs g player|no=21|pos=MF|name=Alamgir Ghazi|age={{Birth date and age|1998|05|09|df=y}}|caps=14|goals=0|club=Thimphu City|clubnat=BHU}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs g player|no=9|pos=FW|name=Imran Kayani|age={{Birth date and age|2001|12|24|df=y}}|caps=7|goals=0|club=Whitehawk|clubnat=ENG}}

{{nat fs g player|no=10|pos=FW|name=McKeal Abdullah|age={{Birth date and age|2005|07|07|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=Ilkeston Town|clubnat=ENG}}

{{nat fs g player|no=11|pos=FW|name=Harun Hamid|age={{Birth date and age|2003|11|10|df=y}}|caps=14|goals=1|club=Farnborough| clubnat=ENG}}

{{nat fs g player|no=13|pos=FW|name=Fareed Ullah|age={{Birth date and age|2001|01|01|df=y}}|caps=9|goals=0|club=Abu Muslim|clubnat=AFG}}

{{nat fs g player|no=17|pos=FW|name=Shayak Dost|age={{Birth date and age|2002|5|1|df=y}}|caps=14|goals=0|club=WAPDA|clubnat=PAK}}

{{nat fs g player|no=23|pos=FW|name=Abdul Arshad|age={{Birth date and age|2003|02|26|df=y}}|caps=9|goals=0|club=Eskilsminne IF|clubnat=SWE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=FW|name=Adeel Younas|age={{Birth date and age|2006|03|23|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=POPO FC|clubnat=PAK}}

{{nat fs g end}}

The following players have also been called up to the Pakistan squad within the last twelve months.

{{nat fs r start}}

{{nat fs r player|no=22|pos=GK|name=Hassan Ali|age={{Birth date and age|2003|2|23|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=WAPDA|clubnat=PAK|latest=v. {{fb|TJK}}; 11 June 2024}}

{{Nat fs break|background=#002868}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Easah Suliman|age={{Birth date and age|1998|01|26|df=y}}|caps=9|goals=0|club=Sumgayit|clubnat=AZE|latest=v. {{fb|SYR}}; 25 March 2025 ^PRE}}

{{nat fs r player|no=14|pos=DF|name=Muhammad Saddam|age={{Birth date and age|2005|02|01|df=y}}|caps=4|goals=0|club=POPO|clubnat=PAK|latest=v. {{fb|TJK}}; 11 June 2024}}

{{nat fs break|background=#002868}}

{{nat fs break|background=#002868}}

{{nat fs r player|no=7|pos=FW|name=Otis Khan|age={{Birth date and age|1995|09|05|df=y}}|caps=9|goals=0|club=Yeovil Town|clubnat=ENG|latest=v. {{fb|TJK}}; 11 June 2024}}

{{Nat fs break|background=#002868}}

• ^PRE Preliminary squad / standby
• ^RET Retired from the national team
• ^INJ Player withdrew due to injury
• ^WD Player withdrew from squad due to non-injury issue

{{Nat fs end|background=#002868}}

{{Main|Pakistan national football team records and statistics#Player records}}

{{Updated|25 March 2025}}{{cite web |title=Pakistan |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/country/140/2024/Pakistan.html |website=National Football Teams |access-date=20 June 2023 }}

:Players in bold are still active with Pakistan.

File:Haroon Yousaf during 1997 SAFF Gold Cup (cropped).jpg is Pakistan's most capped player with 49 appearances.]]

: NB Exact figures of players before 1989 and 1999 are not yet known and yet to be researched. This absence of data is notable for long-serving players such as Zafar Iqbal & Mohammad Tariq Hussain, along with many others, who are likely to have accumulated a higher number of caps than currently recorded. Additionally, player appearances are also missing in the 2000 AFC Asian Cup qualification, two of the 2002 friendly matches against Sri Lanka, and 2006 friendly against Palestine in the primary source and yet to be updated.

{{See also|List of Pakistan national football team hat-tricks}}

File:Former Pakistan national football captain Muhammad Umer.jpg is Pakistan's all-time top scorer recorded with 14 goals.]]

{{Main|List of Pakistan national football team captains}}

• In major Continental and International tournaments. For the complete list, see the main article.

{{Main|Pakistan national football team records and statistics#Competition records}}

The AFC Challenge Cup was held every two years from 2006 through 2014.

: Football at the Asian Games has been an under-23 tournament since 2002.

:Football at the South Asian Games has been an under-23 tournament since 2004.

|- style="background:gold;"

|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|Pakistan}} 1989||Champions

|3

|2

|1

|0

|5

|2

|- style="background:gold;"

|{{flagicon|Sri Lanka}} 1991

|Champions

|3

|2

|1

|0

|3

|0

|-

|{{flagicon|Bangladesh}} 1993

|Group stage

|2

|0

|1

|1

|3

|4

|-

|{{Flagicon|India|}} 1995|| colspan="7" |Withdrew

|-

|{{flagicon|Nepal}} 1999||Group stage

|3

|1

|0

|2

|5

|9

|-

|2004 to present

| colspan="8" |See Pakistan national under-23 football team

|-

!Total||6/8|| 17 || 8 || 5 || 4 || 24 || 20

|}

File:Pakistan_in_1974_RCD_Cup.jpg]]

Source:{{cite web |last=FIFA.com |title=The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking – Associations – Pakistan – Men's – FIFA.com |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/PAK |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219160907/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/associations/association=pak/men/index.html |archive-date=19 February 2015 |website=FIFA.com}}

{{Main|Pakistan national football team records and statistics#Head-to-head record}}

{{Main|Pakistan national football team records and statistics#Honours}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• South Asian Games
• {{Gold1}} Gold medal (2): 1989, 1991
• {{Bronze3}} Bronze medal (1): 1987
• SAFF Championship
• {{Bronze3}} Third place (1): 1997

{{col-2}}

• RCD Cup
• Third place: 1965, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1974
• Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament
• Winners: 1952
• Runners-up: 1953, 1955{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/brindies-quad.html#55|title=Asian Quadrangular Tournament (Colombo Cup) 1952–1955: 1955 (Dacca, Pakistan)|first=Neil|last=Morrison|website=RSSSF|date=1999|access-date=17 August 2022|archive-date=20 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820110914/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/brindies-quad.html#55}}
• Third place: 1954
• Merdeka Cup
• Runners-up: 1962
• Quaid-e-Azam International Cup
• Runners-up: 1976, 1986
• Third place: 1982, 1987
• Philippine Peace Cup
• Third place: 2013

{{col-end}}

{{portal bar|Association football|Pakistan}}

• Football in Pakistan
• Women's football in Pakistan
• Pakistan national under-23 football team
• Pakistan national under-20 football team
• Pakistan national under-17 football team
• Pakistan Football Federation

{{reflist|group=note}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last1=Bhatti |first1=Mukhtar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q3vhOwAACAAJ |title=Pakistan Sports An Almanac of Pakistan Sports with Complete Records 1947-1999 |publisher=Bhatti Publications |year=1999 |isbn= |edition=3rd |location= |pages=237–250 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}

{{Commons category|Pakistan national association football team}}

• [http://www.pff.com.pk/ Pakistan Football Federation] (official website)
• {{Twitter|TheRealPFF}}
• {{Facebook|PakistanFootballOfficial}}
• {{Instagram|pakistanffofficial}}
• [https://youtube.com/@pakistanfootballfederation Pakistan national football team] on YouTube
• [https://www.the-afc.com/en/south/pakistan.html Pakistan] at AFC
• [https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/PAK Pakistan] at FIFA
• [https://www.eloratings.net/Pakistan ELO team records]

{{Pakistan national football team}}

{{Navboxes

| titlestyle = background:#01411C; color:white;

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{{Pakistan national football team managers}}

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}}

{{Portal bar|Association football|Pakistan}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pakistan National Football Team}}

Category:Football in Pakistan

Category:Asian national association football teams

Category:National sports teams established in 1950