Good news for football fans in Pakistan! After a 12-year break, Pakistan is gearing up to host a 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match. They will face Cambodia in an eagerly anticipated match at Islamabad’s historic Jinnah Stadium on October 17, starting at 2 pm local time.
AFC Match Commissioner Kemel Tokabaev inspected Jinnah Stadium on September 20 to ensure all preparations are in order for this important qualifier.
This marks a significant moment for Pakistani football, as the last time they hosted a World Cup qualifier was in 2011 against Bangladesh. Since then, fans have eagerly awaited international football on home turf, with the last international friendly match held in 2015 against Afghanistan.
It’s worth noting that the first leg between Pakistan and Cambodia will be in Cambodia on October 12. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has already announced a 25-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier, selected by the newly-appointed coach, Stephen Constantine, who will lead the team in these qualifiers.
