FIFA President to Visit Pakistan Amid Fresh Football Reset

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed he plans to visit Pakistan soon, signaling renewed engagement with the country as football governance begins to stabilise.

Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Infantino said he has already shared his plans with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Though brief, the exchange carried a clear intent. It placed Pakistan back into FIFA’s active conversation, not as a problem file, but as a project with promise.

“I will come to Pakistan very soon. I promised the prime minister,” Infantino said, striking an assured tone.

Confidence Grows After Federation Reset

Infantino acknowledged Pakistan football’s troubled past, marked by disputes, suspensions, and repeated interventions. However, he focused on where things stand now.

He praised the newly appointed leadership of the Pakistan Football Federation, calling it a stabilising presence after years of internal turmoil. According to Infantino, the change has shifted the focus from crisis control to real progress.

“We now have a new president of the federation who is doing a fantastic job,” he said. “That makes a difference.”

For Pakistan football development, credibility from Zurich opens doors that had stayed shut for too long.

With World Cup 2026 preparations underway globally, FIFA’s renewed engagement signals that Pakistan is no longer being viewed in isolation, but as part of football’s next growth phase.

What The Visit Could Unlock

Officials expect Gianni Infantino Pakistan visit to go beyond formalities. Discussions are likely to focus on grassroots development, youth pathways, and long-delayed structural reforms. Infrastructure, coach education, and stronger governance systems are also expected to be key topics.

Infantino was clear about ambition. “Pakistan is a great football country,” he said, adding that FIFA wants to see it competing near the top of Asia.

For a sport that has lived on the margins locally, this renewed attention could shift direction. If handled carefully, Pakistan’s football development may finally gain momentum, backed by stability rather than slogans.