The Pakistan Football Federation has formally launched the FIFA Football for Schools program in Pakistan, marking a major step toward expanding grassroots football. The initiative aims to reach three million students across 3,000 public schools, giving young people more opportunities to learn and play the sport. Led by the Pakistan Football Federation, the program will introduce structured football activities while helping schools develop basic coaching and participation opportunities. It also supports the growth of youth football in Pakistan by encouraging regular involvement among students. With a nationwide focus, the initiative could help create stronger pathways for young players and broaden football participation.
The launch took place in Islamabad. Senior PFF officials attended, along with representatives of FIFA, the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, and UNESCO.
Key Highlights of the Program
- The program targets 3 million students in 3,000 public schools.
- The PFF will give out 162,000 footballs to students.
- More than 50 master trainers have finished their training under FIFA instructors.
- A cascading model could create a network of around 450 trainers.
- The FIFA Talent Development Scheme arrives in January 2027.
- Teachers will get the Football for Schools app in Urdu.
PFF President Calls It a Historic Day
PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani called the launch a historic day for Pakistan football. He said grassroots development will sit at the center of the Federation’s strategy. In his words, grassroots is the backbone of football. He also thanked FIFA President Gianni Infantino for his vision and support.
Gilani described the three-million target as a conservative estimate. In fact, the PFF plans to go well beyond it. He named two main goals. First, the PFF wants to bring football into schools in a country with a huge youth population. Second, it wants to use the programme to find talent.
However, Gilani admitted that infrastructure remains one of the biggest challenges for football in Pakistan. For that reason, the PFF chose public schools as its starting point. Public schools already exist in every part of the country, so they reach children where they live.
Teachers Become Ambassadors of Football
Teachers sit at the heart of this program. Gilani called them new stakeholders, custodians, and ambassadors for football in their communities. He also spoke to the teachers and master trainers on the last day of their course. He told them that the next day would be the first day of their mission.
FIFA set the criteria for choosing schools and teachers. Then the PFF worked with its partners, including the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and UNESCO, to pick the schools. In addition, the PFF will involve District Football Associations (DFAs) and Regional Football Associations (RFAs). These bodies will link schools to the wider football system. As a result, talented children may find a path from the school playground to organised football.
A Cascading Training Model
Antonio Buenano Sanchez, Senior Football for Schools Manager at FIFA, led the FIFA instructors who trained the master trainers. He said the program could have a massive impact on Pakistan’s young people.
Sanchez explained that Football for Schools has already reached 154 countries. Pakistan will now use a cascading model. Under this model, the master trainers return to their districts and train more teachers. Consequently, the country could build a network of around 450 trainers in a short time. This approach lets the program grow without relying on a small central team.
FIFA will also give educators access to the Football for Schools app in Urdu. Therefore, teachers can follow activities and lesson ideas in their own language.
Sanchez also stressed that talent exists everywhere. Children from every part of Pakistan deserve a chance to develop their potential. With the right opportunities, some of them could one day play for their country. Yet he pointed out that this needs the right processes and systems. FIFA has promised to build those systems with the PFF.
Next Step: FIFA Talent Development Scheme
PFF Technical Director Adeel Rizki said the current rollout is only the first stage. He promised that the PFF will slowly but surely add more schools and districts.
Next, the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) will launch in January 2027. This scheme will create a structured system to find and develop age-group talent. That talent will come from initiatives such as Football for Schools. In practice, the school program will feed a clear pathway toward organized age-group football. It will not stand alone.
Building a Football Culture and a Fan Base
PFF Chief Operating Officer Shahid Khokhar sees the program as a chance to build a stronger football culture. He also expects it to grow the country’s fan base. Moreover, a bigger fan base could improve the commercial potential of the game. It could also make football more sustainable in Pakistan, which has long been a struggle.
Football as a Tool for Youth Development
Fuad Pashayev, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative in Pakistan, called football a powerful tool for youth development and social change. He said the game helps young people build mental resilience and a sense of belonging. UNESCO will work with the PFF in 15 districts. Together, they will use football to engage young people and promote social change.
Andrei Vashkevich, Senior Member of Associations Development Manager at FIFA’s Dubai Office, explained the thinking behind the program. Football for Schools builds the foundations of a country’s football system through mass participation at the grassroots level. He welcomed the revival of football activity in Pakistan. He also confirmed that FIFA will keep supporting the country’s football development.
Inclusion and Opportunities for Girls
Syeda Amna Batool, MNA and Focal Person for the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, spoke about the role of sport in children’s growth beyond the classroom. She urged the organizers to make the program truly inclusive. In particular, she asked them to make sure girls can take part and grow through football.
Her point matters for a simple reason. Reaching three million students means little if girls or children from certain regions miss out. Therefore, the program must reach boys and girls in every province to succeed.
Why This Matters for Pakistan Football
Pakistan has a very large youth population, but it has limited football infrastructure. A school-based program offers a practical fix. Children can play without new stadiums or academies. Instead, they get free footballs, trained teachers, and a clear curriculum.
Furthermore, the program aims to build more than football skills. Children will also develop confidence, resilience, friendship, and leadership. At the same time, the program lays the foundations for a broader and more sustainable football system.
Of course, results will depend on delivery. Reaching 3,000 schools needs steady follow-up, enough equipment, and ongoing support for teachers. Still, the early signs look encouraging. If the cascading model works and the Talent Development Scheme starts on time in January 2027, Pakistan football could gain its strongest base in years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FIFA Football for Schools program in Pakistan?
It is a grassroots initiative from the Pakistan Football Federation, with FIFA’s support. It brings football to students through public schools. Trained teachers lead the sessions, and a structured program guides them.
How many students and schools will the program cover?
The first target is three million students across 3,000 public schools. PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani calls this a conservative estimate. He says the PFF plans to grow beyond it.
How many footballs will the PFF give out?
The PFF will distribute 162,000 footballs to students in the participating schools.
Who trains the teachers?
FIFA instructors, led by Antonio Buenano Sanchez, have trained more than 50 master trainers. These trainers will return to their districts and train more teachers. In total, this could create a network of around 450 trainers.
What is the FIFA Talent Development Scheme?
It is a structured system that finds and develops age-group talent from programs like Football for Schools. It will launch in January 2027.
Which organizations support the program?
FIFA, the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, and UNESCO all support it. UNESCO will work with the PFF in 15 districts. The PFF will also involve District and Regional Football Associations.
