Pakistan vs Afghanistan: Neighbors clash in AFC Asian Cup qualifier

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s national football team faces Afghanistan on Tuesday in a must-win AFC Asian Cup qualification match for Saudi Arabia 2027, aiming to revive their campaign after a 0-0 draw previously.

The match is taking place at Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah Stadium in Ardiyah, Kuwait.

Pakistan head coach Nolberto Solano said ahead of the match, “We [are determined] to win, the focus is on getting three points. It’s football — anything can happen. We’ll also have another chance against Syria at home in […] but tomorrow’s game is key.”

Pakistani national football team practice ahead of their match against Afghanistan. (PFF)

Pakistani national football team practice ahead of their match against Afghanistan. (PFF)

Squad
Solano confirmed no major lineup changes, with goalkeeper Saqib Hanif and captain Abdullah Iqbal leading the squad.

Mohammad Fazal, Syed Abdullah Shah, Mohib Afridi, Tufail Khan, Haris Ali Zeb, Etzaz Hussain, Otis Khan, Mckeal Aaron Abdullah, and Ahmed Faraz complete the lineup.

0-0 draw against Afghanistan
The first leg between Pakistan and Afghanistan, played at Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad, ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Pakistan dominated possession and created numerous chances but were repeatedly frustrated by Afghanistan’s defense and goalkeeper Ovays Aziz’s key saves.
A critical moment came in the 67th minute when Pakistan was awarded a penalty, but Otis Khan shot the ball over the bar.

Despite disappointment from the home draw, Solano praised his young team. “We were a little disappointed [but] we’re a team that loves the ball. This is part of the process—these young lads are playing together for the first time, and I am very pleased with their performances.”

Pakistan’s Group E campaign so far
Pakistan’s road in Group E has been difficult, with two prior losses:
• A 2-0 defeat to Syria (23-minute opener by Ahmad Faqa and captain Omar Alsoma’s second half goal) at Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium, Saudi Arabia, on 25 March.
• A 1-0 loss to Myanmar at Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, sealed by a precise free-kick from Than Paing on 10 June.

Group E Points Table (as of latest matches)

Position	Team	Played	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals For	Goals Against	Goal Difference	Points
1	Syria	4	4	0	0	11	1	+10	12
2	Myanmar	4	2	0	2	4	9	-5	6
3	Afghanistan	4	0	1	3	0	4	-4	1
4	Pakistan	3	0	1	2	0	3	-3	1

Both teams are currently trailing behind group leaders Syria and Myanmar in the race for the only qualification spot to the 2027 Asian Cup.

Rising popularity of football in Pakistan
The Afghanistan vs Pakistan qualifier attracted significant fan interest, with over 7,345 attendees filling Jinnah Stadium. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) celebrated the turnout, stating on Instagram, “7,345 fans filled the stadium with passion, pride, and energy.”

Upcoming matches
Pakistan will face Syria on Tuesday in another Group E qualifier.

2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualification overview
The Asian Cup qualification pathway involves 46 AFC member nations competing across four rounds, with the first two rounds doubling as the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for Asia.

The top 18 teams from the second round, plus Saudi Arabia as hosts, automatically qualify. Remaining teams compete in the current third round for the last six tournament spots.

So far in the third round, six group winners have emerged as qualifiers: Philippines (Group A), Lebanon (Group B), Hong Kong (Group C), Thailand (Group D), Syria (Group E), and Malaysia (Group F).

The 2027 AFC Asian Cup will be hosted in Saudi Arabia from 7 January to 5 February 2027, featuring 24 teams competing for continental glory.