Karachi, April 18, 2026: Pakistan and Argentina have initiated discussions on a potential international football friendly, alongside broader cooperation in football development, sources familiar with the matter revealed.
Officials from the Pakistan Football Federation and the Argentine Football Association held preliminary talks during an online meeting, exploring areas such as coaching development, technical training programmes, and the possibility of arranging a friendly fixture between the two national sides.
The discussions also included proposals for Argentine coaches to visit Pakistan under a structured development initiative, as well as a wider technical collaboration framework aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s football infrastructure.
According to an official statement shared by Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Argentina, the “productive and forward-looking meeting” was coordinated to connect the PFF and AFA following the launch of the “AFA Pakistan” brand and the association’s interest in engaging with Pakistan’s football ecosystem.
The meeting was chaired by Hassan Afzal Khan and attended by PFF President Syed Mohsin Gilani, along with AFA Marketing Director Francisco Lemmi.
Ambassador Hassan Afzal Khan described the initiative as an “excellent opportunity” to strengthen collaboration and contribute to the growth of football in Pakistan. Meanwhile, Syed Mohsin Gilani welcomed the outreach and stressed the need for a structured and sustainable partnership focused on long-term mutual benefit.
If finalized, the proposed friendly match is expected to take place after the FIFA World Cup, with both sides agreeing to continue consultations on logistical and technical aspects.
While discussions remain at an early stage, officials view the engagement as a promising step toward enhanced international cooperation and the development of football in Pakistan.
