Did You Know? Pakistan Had Its Own “Pele”
Abdul Ghafoor, a midfielder from Lyari, was known as the “Pakistani Pele” because of his great vision, accurate passing, and excellent ball control. He was so gifted that when the actual Brazilian legend Pele saw him play during an exhibition match in Asia, he openly praised Ghafoor’s world class technique.
The Golden Era (1950s–1960s)
In 1959, Pakistan defeated Iran 4–1 and then beat India in the Asian Cup qualifiers. Top international teams, including the Soviet club CSKA Moscow, visited Pakistan and played in front of packed stadiums. Karachi’s Lyari was nicknamed “Little Brazil” for producing fearless, world class talent.
Losing Our Best League
Before 1971, East Pakistan was the center of football in Pakistan. Many top players from West Pakistan, like Abdul Ghafoor Majna and Moosa Ghazi, played in Dhaka’s strong football league. When Bangladesh became independent in 1971, Pakistan lost its best league, biggest crowds, and many talented players. The national team was badly affected and did not play for two years, marking the start of its decline.
The Faisal Saleh Hayat Era (2003–2017)
During Faisal Saleh Hayat’s 14 years as PFF president, Pakistan’s FIFA ranking fell from 168th to its lowest ever position of 201st. Faisal Saleh Hayat took over the PFF in 2003 through a political appointment, but Pakistani courts later declared his tenure and elections illegal. Hayat secured powerful FIFA and AFC positions, while players lacked basic support.
Phantom Academies & Ghost Clubs
The PFF received $1.88 million from FIFA and $750,000 from the AFC each funding cycle, but little of it reached grassroots football or youth academies. Faisal Saleh Hayat created fake football clubs that only existed on paper. These fake clubs were given the right to vote in PFF elections. Hayat put his political friends in charge of these clubs. They would always vote for him so he could keep his job as president.
Office Raids & Endless FIFA Bans
In 2018, a court ordered new PFF elections, and Ashfaq Hussain Shah’s group took control of the federation. FIFA saw it as government interference and suspended Pakistan, leading to its first major ban. In 2021, FIFA appointed a Normalisation Committee to clean up the mess. In response, the Ashfaq Shah group raided and took over the PFF House in Lahore, kicking the FIFA officials out.
FIFA immediately banned Pakistan again for the office raid. Even after returning, internal fighting triggered another brief suspension in February 2025, which was finally lifted on March 2, 2025.
The Fresh Start (2025–2026)
On May 27, 2025, the FIFA NC successfully held transparent elections, electing Syed Mohsen Gilani as PFF President. Under strict FIFA/AFC constitutional supervision, Pakistan is playing international fixtures again, including the recent 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
The men’s team won the Diamond Jubilee Tournament without losing a single match. They beat Maldives 3–0 and Afghanistan 2–0 in the final to win Pakistan’s first international trophy in 74 years. At the same time, Pakistan’s women’s team made history by starting the FIFA Series with a 8–0 win.
Focus has finally shifted to reviving district championships, clearing player debts, and building a professional league.