The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has launched the FIFA Football for Schools program in Pakistan, marking a major step toward expanding grassroots football and introducing more young students to the sport.
The initiative will target approximately three million students across 3,000 public schools and aims to create a stronger foundation for football development at the school level.
The program is being supported by FIFA in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and UNESCO. As part of the initiative, participating schools will receive a total of 162,000 footballs to support regular football activities and training.
FIFA Program Targets Three Million Students
The Football for Schools initiative is designed to bring football opportunities to students through Pakistan’s public-school network.
With football infrastructure remaining limited in many parts of the country, the initial focus on government schools is intended to provide young people with access to the sport regardless of their background.
The program will also help establish a wider grassroots structure through schools, teachers and local football associations.
PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani said grassroots development would remain a central part of the federation’s strategy.
He added that the initiative would provide an opportunity to identify talented young footballers from different parts of Pakistan and potentially guide them toward more structured development pathways.
162,000 Footballs to Be Distributed
A major component of the initiative is the distribution of 162,000 footballs among participating schools.
The equipment is expected to help schools conduct football activities and give students greater opportunities to participate in the sport.
The program also includes a structured teacher-training system. More than 50 master trainers have already completed specialised training under FIFA instructors.
The training was led by Antonio Buenano Sanchez, FIFA’s Senior Football for Schools Manager.
The trained master trainers will now take their knowledge back to their respective districts and train additional teachers.
Training Network Could Reach 450 Trainers
The initiative will follow a cascading training model in which master trainers train educators at the district level.
Through this system, the existing group of trained instructors could eventually help establish a network of approximately 450 trainers across Pakistan.
Teachers participating in the program will also have access to the Football for Schools application in Urdu, giving educators additional resources to support football activities in schools.
The approach is intended to make the program sustainable by building local training capacity instead of relying solely on a small number of centrally trained instructors.
Schools and Teachers Selected Under FIFA Criteria
Participating schools and teachers will be selected according to criteria established by FIFA.
PFF partners are assisting with the selection process, while the initial rollout will focus on public-sector educational institutions.
Once participating schools are brought into the program, District and Regional Football Associations will help connect them with the wider football structure.
This could provide schools with a pathway toward local competitions, football activities and further talent identification as the initiative develops.
More Schools to Be Added Gradually
PFF Technical Director Adeel Rizki said the program would gradually expand to additional schools and districts.
The phased approach is expected to allow the federation and its partners to build the necessary training and organisational capacity before increasing the programme’s reach.
The expansion could eventually provide football opportunities to students beyond the initial 3,000 participating schools.
The federation’s focus on schools is also aimed at creating a more consistent grassroots football structure in a country where access to organised football varies considerably between regions.
FIFA Talent Development Scheme Planned for 2027
The school program is also expected to complement another initiative aimed at identifying promising young players.
According to Adeel Rizki, the FIFA Talent Development Scheme is scheduled to launch in January 2027.
The scheme is expected to provide a more structured pathway for identifying and developing players according to age groups.
Together, the Football for Schools initiative and the planned talent development scheme could create a broader progression system, beginning with participation at schools and potentially leading to more specialised football development.
Focus on Opportunities for Girls
The initiative will also place emphasis on inclusion, particularly by encouraging greater participation among girls.
Syeda Amna Batool, focal person for the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, called for meaningful opportunities for girls to participate in the initiative.
Greater access for female students could help expand the country’s grassroots football base and encourage more girls to take part in organised sporting activities.
The inclusion focus is intended to ensure that the benefits of the program are not limited to boys and that schools can provide football opportunities to students across different communities.
Building Pakistan’s Grassroots Football Structure
Pakistan has long faced challenges in developing football infrastructure and creating consistent pathways for young players.
The Football for Schools program seeks to address part of that challenge by placing schools at the centre of grassroots development.
By providing equipment, teacher training and links with district and regional football associations, the initiative aims to make football more accessible to millions of students.
The involvement of FIFA, UNESCO and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme also gives the project an international and institutional framework.
With three million students targeted initially, the program represents one of the country’s larger efforts to expand football participation at the grassroots level.
If successfully implemented, the initiative could help identify talented players at a much earlier age while giving more Pakistani children the opportunity to participate in football.
The launch of the program, along with the planned FIFA Talent Development Scheme in 2027, signals a broader effort to establish a structured pathway for Pakistan’s next generation of footballers.
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