(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino Meets Pakistan’s Mohsin — But It’s the Wrong One
In a surprising twist for Pakistan’s sports community, FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently held a conversation about football development in Pakistan—but not with the expected football authority.
Instead of Mohsen Gilani, the newly elected President of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), it was Mohsin Naqvi, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Interior Minister, who ended up discussing football with the world’s top football official during a meeting in Washington, D.C.
A Cross-Sport Conversation Raises Eyebrows
While Naqvi is widely recognized for juggling multiple high-profile roles—including President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC)—his sudden foray into football administration caught many off guard.
Following the meeting, Naqvi took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share the news:
His post also revealed an unexpected outcome: Infantino has accepted an invitation to visit Pakistan “very soon.”
What This Means for Pakistan Football
Though the meeting may have involved the “wrong Mohsin” from a football governance perspective, it has nonetheless cast a spotlight on Pakistan’s long-overlooked football landscape.
Infantino’s visit—if it materializes—could have a significant impact:
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Boost global attention on Pakistan football
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Open doors for FIFA-supported development programs
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Encourage investment in football infrastructure
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Help establish a stable domestic football calendar
With the PFF recently returning to a democratically elected leadership, the timing couldn’t be more critical. Pakistan’s football scene has suffered from years of administrative uncertainty, underfunded leagues, and underdeveloped facilities.
Football in Pakistan: A Sport on the Sidelines
In a nation where cricket reigns supreme, football has often struggled for relevance. Stadiums remain underutilized, player development programs lack continuity, and national competitions are frequently delayed or canceled.
If Infantino does follow through on his visit, it may serve as both a symbolic gesture and a practical opportunity for football’s rebirth in the country.
Some even speculate whether multi-use venues like Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium could be temporarily reconfigured for international football events—a move that would require serious planning but could demonstrate Pakistan’s readiness for global football participation.
Final Thoughts: Cricket Chief Advocates for Football
While Mohsin Naqvi is primarily known for his cricket roles, his initiative in engaging with FIFA suggests a growing awareness of multi-sport development in Pakistan. And if his meeting with Infantino leads to real investments and action, it could mark the beginning of a new chapter for Pakistan football.
For now, football fans can remain cautiously optimistic. Whether by design or by coincidence, football in Pakistan is finally getting some much-needed attention—even if it took a cricket official to spark the conversation.
