Pakistan vs Afghanistan AFC Asian Cup Qualifier 2027 Has Been Confirmed as Scheduled

The stage is set for Pakistan’s big football match at Jinnah Stadium. Fans are ready to roar, players are ready to fight, and the moment is meant to signal Pakistan’s return to the Asian stage. After days of confusion, the drama has finally settled.

A sudden visa snag had earlier thrown the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier between Pakistan and Afghanistan into doubt. The match, scheduled for Thursday, is now confirmed to go ahead on time as Afghanistan’s overseas players have received travel clearance.

Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) president Mohsen Gilani confirmed the update, saying that all necessary documentation was finalized after coordination between both football federations and the AFC. The players and officials have now obtained their visas. Both teams are ready, and the match will be played as planned.

Match Details

Date: October 9, 2025
Venue: Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad
Kickoff Time: 2:00 AM (local time)
Broadcast: Live on tapmad

Blame Game Between Football Federations

The situation had earlier turned into a blame exchange between the two football bodies. The Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) claimed it sent its initial player list to the Pakistan Embassy on September 18 and followed up several times without result.

On the other hand, the PFF insisted it received the final list only on September 27, just 11 days before the scheduled match. According to AFC regulations, all teams must complete visa procedures at least 30 days prior to their fixture.

Afghan officials stated that most of their squad members are based in Europe, United States, Canada, Australia, and Asia. They were supposed to fly to Islamabad from Dubai, but the visa delay disrupted their travel schedule. With visas now cleared, the Afghan team is set to reach Pakistan with limited practice time before kickoff.

AFC Confirms Match to Proceed

The PFF had earlier informed the Asian Football Confederation that Pakistan was not at fault for the delay. The AFC’s competitions department has since reviewed all reports and allowed the match to proceed as planned.

Mohsen Gilani clarified that Afghan dual nationals could visit Pakistan on regular visas, but AFC tournament rules prevented them from participating on that basis. This issue has now been resolved under the official clearance and the Afghan team will arrive soon.

Pakistan has completed its training sessions at Jinnah Stadium and will host the game as scheduled.

Both Pakistan and Afghanistan are yet to open their accounts. Their match in Islamabad will provide one of them a much-needed breakthrough in Group E.

Fans Finally Get Their Moment

For Pakistani supporters, this match carries special meaning. It’s a chance to see their team play a competitive fixture at home again. Social media is overwhelmed, and excitement has returned to Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

After waiting through days of uncertainty, fans can now turn their focus back to football, ready to fill the stands and support their side. The emotional weight of this fixture remains strong. Pakistan has spent years rebuilding its football structure after FIFA suspensions and internal conflicts. A successful home qualifier could be the statement the sport needs.

Group E

Position	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Syria	2	2	0	0	3	0	+3	6
2	Myanmar	2	2	0	0	3	1	+2	6
3	Afghanistan	2	0	0	2	1	3	−2	0
4	Pakistan	2	0	0	2	0	3	−3	0

What Happens Next

With the visa issue resolved, Pakistan will host Afghanistan as planned. Both teams would work hard to stay alive in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier race for a spot in Saudi Arabia.

The stakes are huge. A win here would lift morale for either side. For Pakistan, it would be proof that their rebuilding efforts are finally paying off. For Afghanistan, it would show resilience under pressure.

Fans can catch every moment live on tapmad. The platform has been announced as the official broadcaster in Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Pakistan. From Asian Cup qualifiers to regional friendlies, all official matches of the AFC Asian Cup will be streamed exclusively on the platform, giving fans across the regions easy access to live football.