The Afghanistan national football team is set to arrive in Islamabad on Wednesday night after a brief visa delay ahead of their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifier against Pakistan, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) said.
The Afghan squad will land at 7:00 pm local time from Dubai and will play against Pakistan on Thursday, October 9, at 2:00 pm at Jinnah Stadium, located within the Pakistan Sports Complex in the capital.
The team’s arrival was briefly delayed due to visa processing issues earlier this week, prompting concern that the qualifier could be affected. However, Pakistani authorities confirmed on Wednesday that all travel and entry formalities had been completed after coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, and the PFF.
PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani expressed gratitude to the Government of Pakistan for ensuring smooth coordination and timely arrangements for the visiting team’s arrival and the hosting of the qualifier.
“We are thankful to the Government of Pakistan for their support and coordination in facilitating the arrival of the Afghanistan team,” Gilani said in a statement.
“I would also like to acknowledge and extend my sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Pakistan Sports Board, and the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) for their full cooperation,” he added.
The qualifier marks an important fixture for both South Asian teams as they continue their campaign for a place in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.
Security and logistical arrangements have been finalised at Jinnah Stadium, with local fans expected to turn out in large numbers to support the national side.
Afghanistan barely made it to Pakistan
Pakistan’s home fixture against Afghanistan in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, scheduled for Thursday in Islamabad, was briefly in doubt after several Afghan players failed to secure visas in time, officials confirmed earlier this week.
Gilani said on Tuesday that the AFF had not completed visa formalities for its entire squad, as many players were based abroad and did not appear for biometric verification at the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul.
“The players and officials who were in Afghanistan have received their visas,” Gilani told Dawn.com. “But those living overseas were required to return to Kabul for the process, as per the AFF’s own arrangement with the embassy.”
The Afghan Voice Agency reported that the AFF sent its team list to the Pakistan Embassy on September 18 but “despite repeated follow-ups and official contacts, visas have not been issued to the players and officials.”
According to the AFF, the national team includes players travelling from Europe, Australia, the United States, Canada, and Asia. “The delay in visa issuance has disrupted preparations, and even if visas are granted now, the players will face the hosts without training,” the federation said.
Gilani said the PFF received the official squad list on September 27, along with a request from the AFF to change visa interview locations for players abroad. He noted that AFC regulations require visiting teams to apply for visas at least 30 days before the fixture.
Reports from Afghanistan said the national team, coached by Italian Vincenzo Alberto Annese, had assembled in Dubai and was awaiting clearance to travel — which has now been granted.
Both Pakistan and Afghanistan are yet to earn a point in Group E after defeats to Syria and Myanmar. The two sides will also meet again on October 14 in Kuwait for the return leg.
The AFC Competitions Committee had been reviewing the situation amid the uncertainty but has now confirmed that the fixture will proceed as planned in Islamabad on Thursday.
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