Pakistan Announces Squad for AFC Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers

LAHORE: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has revealed its 16-member team for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, with matches commencing on September 20.

The selected squad comprises two goalkeepers, four defenders, and three forwards, complemented by four players on the right wing and three on the left wing.

The national squad is preparing to participate in their first continental futsal tournament. They have been drawn into Group D alongside Iraq, Chinese Taipei, and Saudi Arabia, the group’s host nation. These countries are well-known in the Asian futsal scene.

These qualifying matches, which will occur between September 20 and 24, will feature 31 teams competing for 16 available slots in the final tournament.

The top team from each of the eight groups, along with the seven teams that finish as the best runners-up, will proceed to the 18th edition of the competition, which will take place in Indonesia from January 27 to February 7, 2026.

Pakistan needs to win their group or rank among the top seven second-place finishers to advance to the finals.

Given Iraq’s superior regional ranking and Saudi Arabia’s advantage as the host nation, the Green Shirts must perform exceptionally well in all of their encounters.

Pakistan’s futsal program has seen considerable advancements recently, with an increasing number of players making their way from grassroots activities to the national level.

However, competing against Saudi Arabia and Iraq, both formidable teams, will make the journey to Indonesia quite difficult.

Pakistan’s involvement in the qualifiers signifies a crucial step toward achieving recognition in the region.

Squad Details:

  • Goalkeepers: Muhammad Zaid and Muhammad Tahir
  • Defenders: Muhammad Hamza Khan, Hamza Nusrat, Zohair Altaf and Asif Ahmad
  • Right Wing: Hassaan Zafar, Abdul Hannan, Yousaf Ahmad and Shams Taj
  • Left Wing: Moeez Sajjad, Muhammad Bin Masud and Ariz Mahmood
  • Strikers: Muhammad Adan, Muhammad Ali Riaz Khan and Zaid Ullah Khan