Visa Issues for Afghanistan Football Team Resolved, Confirms Mohsin Naqvi
Oct 8, 2025
ISLAMABAD — Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced on Wednesday that the visa issues of the Afghanistan national football team have been resolved, clearing the way for their participation in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Pakistan.
The development came after days of uncertainty surrounding the match, as several Afghan players had been unable to secure visas due to delays in biometric verification.
Earlier, Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) President Mohsen Gilani revealed that many Afghan players were not residing in the country, which made it difficult for the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) to complete the process.
The AFF had earlier stated that it submitted the team list to the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul on September 18, but visas were delayed despite “repeated follow-ups and official contacts.”
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Minister Naqvi confirmed that the matter had been settled.
“Issued now,” he wrote in response to journalist Faizan Lakhani’s post about the issue, adding, “Thank you for highlighting it.”
With the visa hurdle cleared, the Afghan players — who were gathered in Dubai awaiting clearance — are now expected to arrive in Islamabad ahead of Thursday’s crucial fixture at the Jinnah Stadium.
Both Pakistan and Afghanistan are yet to earn a point in Group E, having lost their opening matches to Syria and Myanmar. The two sides will meet again in a return fixture on October 14 in Al Ardiya, Kuwait.
The winner of the group will advance to the AFC Asian Cup 2027, scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia.
