LAHORE: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) delegation, led by President Syed Mohsen Gilani, held a series of high-profile meetings on Tuesday following their participation in the 36th AFC Congress in Vancouver, Canada.
The engagements came ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress, scheduled for Thursday, where Pakistan will continue to strengthen its international football ties. The PFF delegation, comprising President Gilani, Vice-President Hafiz Zakaullah, and Chief Operating Officer Shahid Niaz Khokhar, met with leaders of several major football federations:
Bernd Neuendorf (DFB President, Germany) pledged full support to Pakistan in areas such as coach education and women’s football. Neuendorf extended an invitation for Pakistani players and coaches to visit Germany and benefit from its advanced football ecosystem.
Their discussions with Peter Augroso (Canada Soccer President) centered on grassroots football development and coach education courses. Talks also included the possibility of an exhibition series, with PFF offering to mobilize Pakistan’s community in Canada to support the initiative.
Song Kai (CFA President, China) hailed the strong diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan, describing the nations as “Iron Brothers.” The CFA offered support in futsal training, while PFF invited Kai to visit Pakistan. Both federations agreed to hold a detailed meeting after the World Cup. Dzhalilov Iskandor (TFF Vice-President, Tajikistan) pledged assistance in referee training and goalkeeper coaching, alongside cooperation in women’s football development.
“These meetings highlight PFF’s proactive approach to building international partnerships. By engaging with federations from Europe, North America, and Asia, Pakistan is seeking to strengthen its technical expertise, expand opportunities for players and coaches, and enhance pathways for women’s football.”
“The PFF delegation’s engagements in Vancouver are part of a broader programme of meetings with officials from multiple federations. With the FIFA Congress set to convene on Thursday, Pakistan’s leadership is positioning itself to secure meaningful collaborations that can accelerate the growth of football at home.
