The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has named a 23-member national team squad for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 in Indonesia. The group includes players travelling from Pakistan as well as national team members based abroad, giving head coach Nolberto Solano a blend of local and overseas talent. Solano will lead the Shaheens in the inaugural tournament, which brings together teams from across the ASEAN region. The competition offers Pakistan a valuable chance to test itself against stronger regional opposition, gain international experience, and build team cohesion. Fans will be eager to see how the squad performs on this new platform.
Pakistan Squad for FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026
The PFF has named the following players:
- Yousuf Butt
- Hassan Ali
- Saqib Hanif
- Abdullah Shah
- Abdul Rahman
- Ali Khan
- Ali Agha
- Hayyan Khattak
- Ali Uzair
- Alamgir Ghazi
- Ali Raza
- Abdul Samad Arshad
- Kaleem Ullah
- Shayek Dost
- Abdullah Iqbal
- Easah Suliman
- Mohib Ullah
- Mamoon Khan
- Mohd Fazal
- Haris Zeb
- Umer Nawaz
- Abdul Samad
- Ali Khan
The list mixes home-based and overseas-based players, an approach Pakistan football has relied on in recent years. Home-based players bring familiarity with local conditions and domestic competition. Overseas players add exposure to different training environments and playing styles. Solano’s task is to turn the two groups into a single, well-drilled unit in a short time.
Head Coach Nolberto Solano
Nolberto Solano, the Peruvian coach in charge of the national team, now faces one of his biggest tests with the Shaheens. The ASEAN Cup will show how his tactical ideas hold up against sides with far more experience of regional tournaments. Fans will be watching for the team’s shape, its discipline without the ball, and how it copes with the pace of Southeast Asian football.
What Is the FIFA ASEAN Cup?
The FIFA ASEAN Cup is a new competition for men’s national teams from Southeast Asia and guest nations. The inaugural edition runs from September 24 to October 5, 2026, and features 14 national teams: all 11 ASEAN member states and three guest teams. Pakistan is one of the guests. It took a place originally offered to China, which reportedly chose to focus on its Asian Cup preparations. Bangladesh also joined as a guest after India withdrew.
FIFA says the tournament was launched to give national teams meaningful competitive opportunities within the Men’s International Match Calendar while strengthening football ties across Southeast Asia and the wider region. For teams outside the top tier, regular competitive fixtures are hard to come by, and this event helps fill that gap.
Tournament Format
The competition is split into two divisions:
- Division One: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, plus guest teams Bangladesh and Pakistan. Matches are hosted in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Bandung.
- Division Two: Hosts Hong Kong, China, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste.
Each division is divided into two groups, with teams playing a single round-robin format. The group winners in each division advance to the final. In Division One, the runners-up also contest a third-place play-off.
Pakistan’s Group and Fixtures
Pakistan has been drawn in Group B of Division One alongside Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Group A consists of Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Pakistan’s group-stage schedule is:
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| September 26 | Pakistan vs Thailand |
| September 29 | Pakistan vs. the Philippines |
| October 2 | Pakistan vs. Vietnam |
The Division One final is scheduled for October 5. With only three group games, there is little room for error, and a slow start could end Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the final.
A Tough Group for the Shaheens
Thailand and Vietnam are among the most consistent teams in Southeast Asia and are regular contenders in regional competitions. Both will start as favorites in Group B. The Philippines have also improved steadily, and their squad has benefited from players raised overseas.
For Pakistan, the opening match against Thailand is the key fixture. A positive result would build confidence for the two games that follow. Even a close, competitive defeat against a higher-ranked opponent would give the squad something to build on against the Philippines and Vietnam.
Why This Tournament Matters for Pakistan Football
The PFF has described the tournament as an opportunity to compete on a new international platform and further strengthen preparations against teams from the ASEAN region. The value goes beyond results.
Competitive experience. Three matches in about a week against strong opposition will test the squad’s fitness, depth and mental resilience. Solano will learn which players cope best with pressure and which combinations work.
Exposure to new styles. Southeast Asian teams tend to play at a high tempo, with technical players who move the ball quickly. Facing that style regularly helps Pakistan’s players adapt to international football.
Visibility for the national team. Playing in a FIFA-sanctioned tournament alongside established regional sides raises the profile of Pakistan football at home and abroad. Good performances could strengthen the case for more fixtures and greater investment in the national program.
Team cohesion. For a squad drawn from different countries, a competitive tournament is a chance to build understanding faster than friendlies or training camps alone allow.
What to Expect from Pakistan
Pakistan are likely to focus on staying compact and organized, then look for chances on the counterattack and from set pieces. The squad has several defensive options and a good number of attacking players, which gives Solano flexibility to adjust between matches. Fitness and cohesion will be the biggest concerns, especially given that players are arriving from different footballing environments. Strong leadership from the more experienced players will be valuable on the pitch.
Whatever the results, the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 is a meaningful step for the Shaheens. It offers a rare chance to measure themselves against some of the region’s best and to learn lessons that can shape the national team’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pakistan’s coach for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026?
Nolberto Solano is the head coach of the Pakistan national team for the tournament.
How many players are in Pakistan’s squad?
The PFF has announced a 23-member squad, including players from Pakistan and members of the national team based abroad.
Which teams are in Pakistan’s group?
Pakistan are in Group B of Division One with Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
When does Pakistan play its first match?
Pakistan opens their campaign against Thailand on September 26, then faces the Philippines on September 29 and Vietnam on October 2.
Where is the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 being held?
Division One, which includes Pakistan, is hosted in Jakarta and Bandung, Indonesia. Division Two is hosted in Hong Kong, China. The tournament runs from September 24 to October 5.
