When will Karachi host international football matches?

Pakistan men’s team is currently preparing for second round of FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers

By Web Desk
November 07, 2023
People's Football Stadium in Lyari, Karachi. - PFF

The chairman of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalisation Committee (NC), Haroon Malik, has provided an update about the possibility of Karachi hosting international matches.

According to Malik, People's Football Stadium in Lyari, Karachi, could be in a position to host matches if proper investment is done.

"People’s Stadium is a great facility which should host international matches if proper investment is done. Three to four things need to fixed at the stadium which includes ground and seats. Within 6-8 months international football can return to Karachi,” Malik told Geo News on Tuesday.

He also opened up about the floodlights issue at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad, which recently hosted the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round 1 Qualifier between Pakistan and Cambodia.

"Jinnah Stadium's lights is 350 lumen but the international requirement is 1800. We have requested the Pakistan Sports Board, who have worked really hard to improve the facility, to upgrade the lights so that we can host night matches,” he said.

Pakistan will begin their journey in the second round with their game against Saudi Arabia in Dammam on November 16. After facing Saudi Arabia on November 16 at the latter’s backyard, Pakistan will host Tajikistan in Islamabad on November 21.

On March 21, 2024, Pakistan will host Jordan, on March 26 Jordan will host Pakistan and on June 6 Pakistan will host Saudi Arabia. On June 11 Pakistan will travel to Tajikistan to play their last game of the round. The top two teams from the group will qualify for the third round.

It must be noted that Pakistan on October 17 created history when they conquered Cambodia 1-0 at the Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad, to make it to the second round.

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