PFF fails to renovate Jinnah Stadium for FIFA World Cup qualifying match

LAHORE: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has fallen short of the January 21 deadline set by FIFA for the completion of renovations at Jinnah Stadium Islamabad. This delay raises concerns regarding the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Pakistan and Jordan, scheduled for March 21.

In a series of tweets, the PFF acknowledged challenges in meeting FIFA’s lighting standards with the existing setup. With the March game slated to be held under lights during Ramadan, the federation expressed difficulties complying with FIFA’s lighting standards using the current infrastructure.

“Since our last home game against Tajikistan in November, the Pakistan Football Federation, in collaboration with the Pakistan Sports Board, has been diligently working on preparing the Jinnah Stadium for the upcoming match against Jordan scheduled for March,” stated one of the tweets.

“However, we regret to inform you that, despite our best efforts, the current standard of the Jinnah Stadium does not meet FIFA standards,” added another tweet.

Given the commitment to upholding the integrity of the game, the PFF announced the exploration of alternative options. With the January 21 venue submission deadline missed, the federation plans to engage with the Jordan Football Association to discuss arrangements for a neutral venue for the home leg.