By Ali Irzam Malik
Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) President Syed Mohsin Gilani held an important meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Ms. Natalie A. Baker, focusing on strengthening bilateral engagement through sports diplomacy, expanding football development in Pakistan, and projecting a positive image of the country at the global level.
The meeting, held in Lahore, reflected a growing recognition of sports as a bridge between nations, particularly in engaging youth and fostering mutual understanding. Both sides discussed how football can serve as a powerful platform for cultural exchange, talent development, and long-term people-to-people connectivity between Pakistan and the United States.
PFF Vision and Institutional Reforms
During the discussion, Syed Mohsin Gilani shared details of the PFF’s new strategic vision, which prioritizes transparency, institutional strengthening, grassroots expansion, and international engagement. He briefed the ambassador on the federation’s ongoing reforms and its efforts to rebuild confidence in Pakistan’s football structure following years of administrative instability.
He emphasized that PFF’s coordination with the Prime Minister’s Office reflects a broader national mission rather than a narrow sporting agenda.
“Our objective goes beyond winning matches. This is about empowering Pakistani youth, providing them with opportunities, and using football as a tool for social development and global engagement,” Gilani said.
U.S. Ambassador Appreciates Progress
U.S. Ambassador Natalie A. Baker appreciated the institutional progress made under the current PFF leadership, acknowledging the challenges faced by sports institutions in developing countries. She noted that football is rapidly gaining popularity in Pakistan, especially among young people and urban communities, and has strong potential to become a unifying force.
The ambassador expressed the U.S. Embassy’s interest in supporting initiatives that promote inclusion, gender equality, youth leadership, and community development through sports. She indicated that sports diplomacy remains an important pillar of U.S.-Pakistan engagement, and football provides an effective platform to deepen this cooperation.
Development of Women’s Football
The meeting emphasized the urgent need to strengthen women’s participation in football across Pakistan. Discussions included potential support for training programs, capacity building for female coaches and referees, and creating safe and inclusive spaces for young girls to participate in the sport.
High-Performance Youth Programs
Recognizing Pakistan’s large youth population as a major asset, the PFF and U.S. Embassy discussed initiatives aimed at identifying and nurturing talent through structured academies, exposure opportunities, and modern training methodologies. The goal is to gradually build a pipeline of competitive players capable of performing at regional and international levels.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Promotion
With the United States set to co-host the FIFA World Cup 2026, both sides agreed to collaborate on promotional activities in Pakistan. These may include fan engagement campaigns, football festivals, youth tournaments, and awareness programs celebrating the world’s biggest sporting event.
Pakistan’s Support for FIFA World Cup 2026
Syed Mohsin Gilani reaffirmed Pakistan’s full diplomatic and institutional support for the United States in hosting a successful FIFA World Cup. He stated that the tournament offers a historic opportunity not only for the host nation but also for partner countries like Pakistan to engage with the global football community.
“The FIFA World Cup 2026 is more than a sporting event; it is a global celebration of unity, culture, and shared humanity. Pakistan wants to be a constructive and visible partner in this journey,” he said.
He added that Pakistan’s participation in related activities can help counter negative stereotypes and highlight the country’s youthful, dynamic, and sports-loving identity.
Sports Diplomacy and Pakistan’s Global Image
Observers see the meeting as part of a broader shift toward sports diplomacy, where football is increasingly being used as a soft-power tool to improve Pakistan’s global perception. Strengthening ties with international sporting bodies and foreign missions can also open doors for technical support, funding opportunities, and greater international exposure for Pakistani athletes.
The engagement between PFF leadership and the U.S. Embassy is being viewed as a positive step toward reintegrating Pakistan more effectively into the global football ecosystem.
