PFF greenlights Jinnah Stadium as FIFA WC qualifier venue

KARACHI: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has given the green light regarding the status of Islamabad’s Jinnah Stadium as a potential venue to host Pakistan’s home leg of the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Cambodia.

According to the media reports, a two-member delegation from the PFF visited the venue in the Pakistan Sports Complex on Thursday.

During the visit, Member of the PFF Normalisation Committee Shahid Khokhar and head coach of the Pakistan men’s national team Shahzad Anwar were briefed by officials from the Pakistan Sports Complex.

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Meanwhile, Khokhar while speaking to the media said that the committee was satisfied with the facilities. However, he said that the final decision on hosting the match in Islamabad would be subject to approval from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA, regarding the suitability of the venue.

“As far as we are concerned, we are satisfied with our observations during the visit. We identified a couple of areas that needed attention, and the officials from the Pakistan Sports Board warmly extended their full support to facilitate this match in Pakistan,” he stated.

As per the reports, Pakistan was slated to compete in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Cambodia on October 12 and 17. The match scheduled for October 17 was designated as Pakistan’s home game. The AFC directed the PFF to finalise the host stadium by August 18.

The reports said that the PFF, in the quest to secure suitable venues, approached the Punjab Sports Board, Pakistan Sports Board, and Saudi Football Authorities. The Pakistan Sports Board was prepared to offer Islamabad’s Jinnah Stadium for the match and invited the PFF to assess the venue.

Khokhar pointed out, “The pitch must be readied for the match, a task I am confident will be completed. Also, the scoreboard needs to be installed in the stadium. We have informed the Pakistan Sports Board of FIFA regulations, and they have assured us they are prepared to follow them.”

Khokhar further added that the PFF would communicate with the AFC and FIFA to have their technical team assess the stadium. He said that the PFF will confirm the stadium’s suitability for hosting Pakistan’s game only after getting their approval.

“We aim to expedite this process,” he noted. “Our resolve is to ensure that the game takes place in Islamabad.” Khokhar also expressed appreciation for the “enthusiastic support” received from the Pakistan Sports Board during the visit.