Pakistan Announces 28-Member Squad for SAFF Championship

Notably, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has confirmed a 28-member squad for the 2026 SAFF Championship in Bangladesh, with a number of key players set to miss the team's opening matches against India and Maldives.

Key points

• Defenders: Abdul Rehman, Abdullah Iqbal, Ali Khan Niazi, Easah Suliman, Haris Zeb, Haseeb Khan, Mamoon Moosa Khan, Mohibullah Afridi, Waqar Ehtisham Baloch.
• Midfielders: Junaid Shah, Adil Nabi, Ali Uzair, Hayyaan Khattak, Tufail Khan Shinwari, Zainul Abideen Ishaque, Muhammad Junaid, Ali Akbar Khan.
• The 2026 SAFF Championship will be held at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from November 5 to 17.
• Forwards: Abdul Samad Arshad, Alamgir Ghazi, Kaleemullah, McKeal Abdullah, Najeebullah, Shayak Dost, Umar Nawaz.
• Their absence has opened the door for Zainul Abideen Ishaque, Haseeb Ahmed Khan, Junaid Shah, and Tufail Khan Shinwari to return to the national team.

Meanwhile, the squad was confirmed almost a day after most of the players had already departed for Bangladesh, where the tournament will take place from November 5 to 17. Saudi Pro League Postpones All Matchday 13 Fixtures.

Captain Abdullah Iqbal, defender Easah Suliman, and wingers Abdul Samad Arshad and Ali Akbar Khan have been included in the squad but will only be available if Pakistan qualifies for the semifinals.

As Pakistan's group-stage matches against India on November 5 and Maldives on November 8 fall outside the November FIFA international window, all four players are regular starters but were not published early by their clubs.

While Mohammed Fazal, Abdullah Shah, and Ali Agha have been ruled out due to injuries or fitness reservations, meanwhile, Otis Khan and Harun Hamid remain unavailable.

Their absence has opened the door for Zainul Abideen Ishaque, Haseeb Ahmed Khan, Junaid Shah, and Tufail Khan Shinwari to return to the national team. McKeal Abdullah additionally returns after last representing Pakistan in 2025.

Midfielder Muhammad Junaid and striker Najeebullah have received their first senior national team call-ups after representing Pakistan at the SAFF U20 Championship in the Maldives earlier this year.

Pakistan last competed in the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia during the September-October international window. The team suffered a 4-0 defeat against Thailand before securing a surprising 2-2 draw with the Philippines. Pakistan concluded its Group B campaign with a 4-2 loss to Vietnam.

Notably, the 2026 SAFF Championship will be held at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from November 5 to 17. AFC Postpones Asian Cup 2027.

While Group A consists of hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, pakistan has been placed in Group B alongside India and Maldives.

Meanwhile, the semifinals are scheduled for November 14, followed by the final on November 17. Nepal will not participate in the tournament due to the ongoing suspension of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) by FIFA over governance problems. Pakistan Squad for SAFF Championship 2026. Goalkeepers: Saqib Hanif, Hassan Ali, Yousuf Butt.

Forwards: Abdul Samad Arshad, Alamgir Ghazi, Kaleemullah, McKeal Abdullah, Najeebullah, Shayak Dost, Umar Nawaz. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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In short, pakistan Announces 28-Member Squad for SAFF Championship is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.