The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) faces concerns regarding the hosting of Pakistan’s home match in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier against Jordan. The potential venue, Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad, was under consideration, but FIFA and AFC raised concerns and requested corrections before deeming it suitable for the match.
Unfortunately, the current standard of Jinnah Stadium did not meet FIFA standards. A significant challenge emerged concerning lighting conditions, as the March game was scheduled to be held under lights during Ramazan, posing difficulties in meeting FIFA’s lighting standards with the existing setup.
The PFF encountered obstacles in ensuring the stadium met FIFA requirements, particularly regarding lighting, crucial for night matches. The federation acknowledged the importance of upholding the integrity of the game and complying with FIFA standards.
With the deadline for venue submission on January 21, the PFF opted to explore alternative options. They intended to communicate with the Jordan Football Association to discuss arranging a neutral venue for the home leg of the match against Jordan.
