In a significant win for Pakistani football, FIFA has lifted its suspension on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), restoring the country’s eligibility for international competitions. The decision, announced tonight, follows several weeks of constitutional reforms that were required by FIFA to resolve governance disputes and ensure transparent elections.
The PFF had been suspended on February 6, 2025, after its Congress initially rejected the proposed amendments to its constitution, which FIFA insisted were essential for conducting truly fair and democratic elections. This was Pakistan’s third suspension by FIFA since 2017, all linked to issues of third-party interference and electoral irregularities. However, during an extraordinary Congress meeting in Lahore on February 27, the PFF unanimously approved FIFA’s suggested changes, paving the way for the suspension to be lifted.
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This resolution comes at a crucial time, as Pakistan is set to face Syria in an important qualifier on March 25. The PFF had previously withdrawn from the tournament due to the suspension, but FIFA’s prompt action has revived hope for the national team. Pakistan, currently ranked 198th in the world, last played in November 2024 during a World Cup qualifier against Tajikistan.
FIFA’s normalization committee, which was established in 2019 to oversee reforms, noted that the constitutional overhaul brings PFF statutes in line with global standards and helps to curb political interference. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had set a deadline of March 4 for lifting the ban to secure Pakistan’s participation, a deadline that has now been met.
While this decision has been widely celebrated, challenges remain. Pakistan’s football infrastructure, which has suffered from years of instability, needs urgent revitalization. Moving forward, the focus will be on organizing fair elections and preparing the national team for upcoming qualifiers. Stay tuned to ProSports.pk for the latest updates on Pakistan’s AFC Asian Cup campaign and other major football developments.
