PR, 18th Oct 2023: Pakistan’s football team recorded their first-ever victory in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, outpacing Cambodia 1-0 at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Harun Hamid’s strike in the 67th minute marked the lone goal of the match, propelling Pakistan to the second round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers for the first time. This achievement comes after the goalless first leg of the initial qualifiers played in Cambodia.
As a result of this remarkable win, Pakistan football team now finds itself in Group G for the second round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, competing alongside Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Tajikistan. The top two teams from this group will advance to the third round.
A total of 18 nations progressing to the third round will be sorted into three groups of six through a later draw, with the top two from each group earning a spot in the FIFA World Cup. The six remaining teams that finish third and fourth in the third round will be divided into two groups of three, with the winners of each group securing direct entry to the World Cup.
The fifth round will ultimately determine Asia’s representative in the FIFA playoff competition, featuring a two-legged, home-and-away match between the two runners-up from the fourth round. It is worth noting that in the 2019 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Pakistan faced Cambodia, suffering a 1-4 loss.
Following the historic victory of the Pakistan football team, Balochistan’s Sports Minister, Nawabzada Jamal Raisani, extended his heartfelt congratulations, remarking, “The way the Pakistani Shaheens played and secured the historic 1-0 win against Cambodia suggests that football has found a home here. I want to congratulate the entire team.”
Murtaza Solangi, the Federal Interim Information Minister, also lauded the Green Shirts for their remarkable achievement, stating, “I extend a warm welcome to international teams in Pakistan. Football is not merely a game for a few; it belongs to everyone. Unfortunately, football hasn’t received the attention it deserves in our country.”
Reference Link: https://www.nation.com.pk/17-Oct-2023/history-created-pakistan-beat-cambodia-1-0-to-qualify-for-next-round-of-fifa-world-cup-qualifier