The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) reaffirmed its commitment to building a distinct national football identity on Sunday in Islamabad following the national team's historic campaign at the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 in Azerbaijan.
Addressing media at a post-tournament press conference, PFF technical leadership declared that grassroots youth development, mastering core technical fundamentals, and establishing structured domestic pathways remain top national priorities.
Fundamentals and Fearless Play: Lessons From Azerbaijan
Head Coach Ahsanullah Khan noted that the technical staff approached the tournament in Baku primarily as an invaluable learning and exposure opportunity for the young squad.
The coaching team encouraged players to compete without fear, express themselves on the pitch, and focus on fundamental skill execution against top-tier international opposition.
"Established football nations excel because of their ability to consistently execute the basics," Ahsanullah stated, expressing confidence that building solid technical foundations will eventually allow Pakistan to compete among the world’s elite football nations.
Key Focus Areas for Technical Growth
Skill Execution: Technical staff identified basic skill precision and defensive transitions as urgent areas for improvement.
Continuous Competition: Long-term success requires consistent high-level training and regular international match exposure.
Player Incentives: PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani announced an additional PKR 25,000 financial reward for each player to boost youth morale.
Restructuring Domestic Pathways and Infrastructure
PFF Technical Director Adeel Rizki highlighted that benchmarking Pakistan against international opposition helped reveal clear structural gaps.
Rizki emphasized that reorganizing domestic football is essential to building a cohesive pipeline, ensuring young talent is systematically identified and nurtured rather than lost during transitions.
Responding to infrastructure queries, PFF Director of Media and Communications Umaid Wasim acknowledged vital public support, pointing to government-run facilities and venue access during the recent domestic U-17 championship.
Players Reflect on International Experience
National youth players Ilhan Khan and Owais expressed gratitude for the federation's backing, noting that competing against teams like Jordan proved Pakistan can stand on the international stage.
With valuable lessons brought back from Azerbaijan, the PFF now turns its focus toward converting these insights into a permanent, structured development program across the country.
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