FIFA President Gianni Infantino has accepted an invitation to visit Pakistan, signaling renewed international engagement with the country’s footballing future. The decision followed a meeting in Washington DC with Pakistan’s Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who has been actively involved in reviving football governance.
Naqvi called the meeting “excellent,” highlighting Pakistan’s growing interest in football and its untapped sports potential. He noted that Infantino expressed enthusiasm about visiting Pakistan soon, as the nation works to rebuild its presence in global football.
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Infantino’s visit comes after FIFA lifted a suspension on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) earlier this year. The suspension, imposed in February 2025 due to governance issues, was revoked in March after the PFF Congress ratified a revised constitution in line with FIFA and AFC recommendations.
Shahid Khokhar of the PFF Normalisation Committee welcomed the reforms, calling them a vital step toward restoring institutional stability. With the suspension lifted, Pakistan is now eligible to compete in international football events once again.
Infantino’s visit is expected to boost the visibility of football in a cricket-dominated nation and support global efforts to grow the sport in emerging markets.
