The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) is embarking on a transformative journey under the leadership of its newly elected president, Syed Mohsen Gilani. In his first press conference at Football House in Lahore on July 19, 2025, accompanied by Vice President Hafiz Zakaullah and Executive Committee Member Raja Amer Khan, Gilani unveiled a comprehensive roadmap to revive and elevate football across Pakistan. From FIFA-backed development programs to a focus on women’s football and a professional league, the PFF’s plans signal a new era for the sport.
Breaking the Stagnation: A New Era Begins
Gilani’s presidency comes at a critical juncture for Pakistan football, which has long struggled with administrative issues, lack of infrastructure, and limited international success. “Pakistan football is no longer in a stagnant phase and will now move ahead at a faster pace,” Gilani declared, emphasizing his team’s determination to deliver where past administrations fell short. His recent meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in 2025 reinforced global confidence in his leadership, with Infantino praising the transparent PFF elections and pledging support for Pakistan’s football revival.
FIFA Development Programs: Building the Foundation
A cornerstone of Gilani’s roadmap is the revival of FIFA Development Programs, designed to modernize infrastructure and grassroots participation. Two flagship initiatives are set to reshape Pakistan’s football landscape:
1. FIFA Arena Program
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What It Is: This program involves constructing modern mini-pitches across Pakistan, starting with two pilot projects. An agreement has already been signed with FIFA, marking a significant step toward improving facilities.
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Impact: The mini-pitches will provide accessible venues for youth and community football, particularly in schools, fostering grassroots engagement. By encouraging schools to utilize these facilities, the PFF aims to nurture young talent and expand the sport’s reach.
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Why It Matters: Improved infrastructure is critical for Pakistan, where outdated or nonexistent facilities have hindered development. These pitches could spark a football revolution at the community level.
2. Football for Schools in Pakistan
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What It Is: A nationwide program in collaboration with the Pakistani government to integrate football into school curriculums, promoting physical fitness and talent identification.
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Impact: By embedding football in schools, the PFF aims to create a pipeline of young players, ensuring long-term growth. The program will also provide coaching and equipment, supported by FIFA’s technical expertise.
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Why It Matters: With football lagging behind cricket in popularity, this initiative could shift cultural perceptions, making the sport more accessible to millions of students.
Strategic Partnerships: La Liga and Beyond
Gilani revealed ongoing discussions with La Liga, Spain’s premier football league, to bolster Pakistan’s football ecosystem. La Liga’s potential involvement includes:
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Training Programs: Providing coaches and players with world-class training methodologies.
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Infrastructure Support: Assisting in the development of modern facilities and academies.
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Technical Expertise: Sharing knowledge on league management and youth development.
This partnership could elevate Pakistan’s technical capabilities, aligning the country’s football standards with global benchmarks. Additionally, Gilani’s emphasis on strengthening ties with the Pakistani government, highlighted by FIFA President Infantino’s planned visit, underscores the PFF’s commitment to building a collaborative framework for success.
Reviving the Professional Football League
A professional league is the “soul of any federation,” according to Gilani, and the PFF is actively working to launch a new league system. While immediate implementation is challenging, the goal is to create one of the region’s finest leagues. Key aspects include:
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Structured Competitions: Designing a sustainable league with clear promotion and relegation systems.
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Attracting Talent: Encouraging top domestic and diaspora players to participate.
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Fan Engagement: Building a fanbase through high-quality matches and media coverage.
The league’s development is critical for retaining talent and providing competitive opportunities, addressing Pakistan’s absence from major regional tournaments like the AFC Asian Cup in recent years.
Empowering Women’s Football
Gilani highlighted women’s football as a top priority, recognizing the “remarkable talent” of Pakistani women players. The PFF plans to:
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Create Dedicated Departments: Establishing specialized units to focus on women’s football development.
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Launch Targeted Programs: Offering coaching, technical guidance, and international exposure, backed by FIFA’s support.
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Promote Visibility: Increasing media coverage and opportunities for women to compete domestically and internationally.
With Pakistan’s women’s team showing promise, these initiatives could propel them onto the global stage, potentially qualifying for tournaments like the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Financial Sustainability: A Business-Like Approach
Gilani’s vision extends beyond the pitch, aiming to make Pakistan football financially sustainable. The PFF is:
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Onboarding Marketing Professionals: Engaging experts to attract corporate sponsorships and investments.
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Launching Commercial Initiatives: Leveraging football’s global popularity to secure partnerships with major brands.
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Building a Business Model: Ensuring the federation operates efficiently, with transparent financial management.
These efforts address past financial mismanagement, which has plagued the PFF, and aim to create a self-sustaining ecosystem that supports players, infrastructure, and development programs.
Addressing Challenges: Transparency and Accountability
Gilani tackled pressing issues during the press conference, including:
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FIFA Goal Projects: The lack of complete records for past FIFA Goal Projects, which funded infrastructure like Football House, is a concern. Gilani pledged to investigate and ensure transparency.
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Banned Officials: Decisions regarding banned PFF officials will be handled solely by Disciplinary Committees, free from external influence, reinforcing the federation’s commitment to fair governance.
These steps aim to rebuild trust in the PFF, which has faced criticism for administrative disputes and FIFA suspensions in the past.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
While Gilani’s roadmap is ambitious, challenges remain:
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Infrastructure Gaps: Pakistan’s limited football facilities require significant investment, even with FIFA’s support.
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Cultural Shift: Competing with cricket’s dominance demands sustained efforts to popularize football.
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Timelines: Launching a professional league and implementing FIFA programs within tight schedules is a logistical challenge.
However, the opportunities are immense. FIFA’s backing, potential La Liga collaboration, and a focus on women’s and youth football position Pakistan for a breakthrough. If successful, Gilani’s vision could see Pakistan’s national teams—men’s and women’s—competing regularly in AFC tournaments and potentially qualifying for global events like the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
A Game-Changer for Pakistan Football
Under Syed Mohsen Gilani’s leadership, the Pakistan Football Federation is poised for a renaissance. With FIFA’s Arena and Football for Schools programs, a potential La Liga partnership, and a focus on women’s football and a professional league, the PFF is laying the groundwork for sustainable growth. By fostering transparency, financial stability, and grassroots development, Gilani’s roadmap could transform Pakistan into a regional football powerhouse. As fans eagerly await Infantino’s visit and the rollout of these initiatives, 2025 marks the start of a thrilling new chapter for Pakistan football.
