ISLAMABAD: Pakistan have named a 23-member squad for the FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia, with head coach Nolberto Solano set to join the national team directly in the host country after a visa delay prevented him from attending the training camp in Islamabad.
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) announced the squad on Saturday, combining players based in Pakistan with footballers representing the national side from abroad.
🚨The Pakistan squad for the FIFA ASEAN Cup has been finalised #ASEANCup pic.twitter.com/o6Y1HrDpzq
— Pakistan Football Federation (@TheRealPFF) September 19, 2026
Sources said Solano could not secure his Pakistani visa on time after submitting his application under an incorrect category. The PFF submitted a fresh application after identifying the issue, but the process took longer than expected.
In the coach’s absence, assistant coaches Titus Bramble and Walid Javaid have been supervising the team’s preparations in Islamabad. Solano is expected to link up with the squad in Indonesia ahead of the tournament, scheduled to run from September 25 to October 5.
Abdullah Iqbal to lead Pakistan, Kaleemullah returns
Defender Abdullah Iqbal will captain the national side, while experienced forward Kaleemullah has earned a recall after an absence from the national setup.
One of the notable inclusions is Abdul Samad, captain of Pakistan’s U-17 side and a midfielder from Swat who recently signed a two-year contract with Azerbaijani champions Qarabag FK.
Samad captained Pakistan at the UEFA U-16 Development Tournament in Kazakhstan in April and scored a header against the hosts during Pakistan’s debut appearance in the UEFA competition.
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PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani also visited Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad during the training camp, where he met the players and reviewed preparations for the tournament.
“We will be playing teams that are significantly higher ranked than us and for us this is a historic moment,” Mohsen said in a video released by the PFF.
He also acknowledged shortcomings in the facilities provided by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), saying the federation had acted immediately after being informed about the situation.
Mohsen expressed confidence in the coaching staff and players, saying Pakistan were prepared to compete against stronger opposition and demonstrate their ability to challenge higher-ranked teams.
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Pakistan face Thailand in tournament opener
Pakistan have been placed in Group B of Division One alongside Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.
The Green Shirts will open their campaign against Thailand on September 26 before taking on the Philippines on September 29. Their final group-stage match will be against Vietnam on October 2.
Pakistan received a place in the inaugural tournament after China withdrew to concentrate on preparations for the 2027 Asian Cup and 2030 World Cup qualifiers.
The national side enters the competition with renewed confidence after winning the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament in the Maldives earlier this year, ending a 74-year wait for an international title.
Final Squad for Pakistan NT for the ASEAN Cup. pic.twitter.com/evjbxxaHAx
— pak.footy 🇵🇰 (@pakfooty) September 19, 2026
Pakistan Squad
Yousuf Butt, Hassan Ali, Saqib Hanif, Abdullah Shah, Abdul Rahman, Ali Khan, Ali Agha, Hayyan Khattak, Ali Uzair, Alamgir Ghazi, Ali Raza, Abdul Samad Arshad, Kaleemullah, Shayek Dost, Abdullah Iqbal, Easah Suliman, Mohib Ullah, Mamoon Khan, Mohd Fazal, Haris Zeb, Umer Nawaz, Abdul Samad, Ali Khan.
