During a meeting held on the sidelines of the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup 2025, the global governing body pledged its support for Pakistan’s revival as international football team.
The meeting focused on key development areas including governance reforms, women s football growth, youth engagement through FIFA s Football for Schools program and FIFA President s visit to Pakistan.
Infantino said, "I was very happy to meet the new Pakistan Football Federation president to understand his football development plans and how FIFA can continue to support the sport in his country.”
The FIFA president hoped Pakistan s football resurgence following years of administrative challenges.
He stressed the importance of the meeting coming just weeks after Gilani s election in May 2025, the PFF s first presidential vote since 2015.
Infantino highlighted the potential for Pakistan to participate in more international competitions, including the 2026 FIFA Series, a new tournament designed to give emerging football nations more competitive opportunities.
"We touched upon key topics such as the development of women s football and the men s team potentially participating in next year s FIFA Series," Infantino said.
"President Gilani brings significant experience and football management know-how to the role, and I look forward to seeing our game take positive strides under his leadership," Infantino said.
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Meanwhile, Gilani acknowledged the turbulent recent history of Pakistani football but struck an optimistic tone about future collaboration with FIFA.
Gilani said, "We are a federation that has experienced some turbulent years. We did not have an election for quite some time, but we are here now and we are here to build football together with FIFA.”
He said, "It symbolises a long-lasting, very good friendship.”
The discussions come after years of instability in Pakistani football. The PFF had been governed by a FIFA-appointed normalisation committee since 2019 following disputes over its leadership.
Infantino s planned visit to Pakistan could provide further momentum to development efforts, potentially leading to additional support programs and international partnerships.
The meeting in Miami represents an important milestone in Pakistan football s efforts to move past its troubled recent history and establish itself as a growing presence in Asian football.
