The long visa drama surrounding the AFC Asian Cup qualifier between Pakistan and Afghanistan has finally come to an end, with the match set to take place as scheduled at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad on Thursday. However, Afghanistan will take the field at a clear disadvantage, having arrived in Pakistan late on Wednesday evening without holding a single training session in the host country.
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For Pakistan, the delay works in their favor as they’ve had more rest and preparation time under their new head coach, Nolberto Solano. Yet, it remains to be seen whether Solano’s men can capitalize on this advantage and secure their first victory in the qualifying round for the 2027 Asian Cup, to be held in Saudi Arabia.
Afghanistan’s journey to Pakistan was far from smooth. The team remained stranded in Dubai until Tuesday night after a series of administrative missteps by the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF). The AFF had initially submitted visa applications stating that the players and officials would undergo biometric verification at the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul. However, with most of Afghanistan’s players based overseas, the federation failed to ensure their presence for the verification process, leading to a bureaucratic back-and-forth between the AFF and the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).
The uncertainty around the team’s travel even led to speculation that the match might be canceled. It was only after Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, personally intervened that the issue was resolved, allowing the Afghan delegation to receive visas on arrival.
PFF President Mohsen Gilani expressed gratitude for the swift resolution and the cooperation of multiple government departments. “We are thankful to the Government of Pakistan for their support and coordination in facilitating the arrival of the Afghanistan team,” he said. “Special appreciation goes to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Pakistan Sports Board, and the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination for their assistance.”
Over 10 Afghan players, along with Italian head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese, arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday evening, while another group was expected at midnight. Three players, who secured their visas in Kabul, are traveling by road through Peshawar.
The chaotic circumstances have given Pakistan a small edge in preparation. Solano managed to organize a brief training camp ahead of the match, though funding challenges limited his access to several overseas-based players. Despite these setbacks, the Peruvian coach remains optimistic about his debut in charge of Pakistan’s senior team.
“The players have been working really hard in training, and we should hope for the best,” Solano said during a pre-match press conference. “We are well prepared and expect a competitive match.”
Thursday’s encounter marks the first of two back-to-back fixtures between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with the return leg scheduled for Tuesday in Kuwait. Meanwhile, the other two teams in Group E — Syria and Myanmar — will also meet twice in the coming days. Only the top team from each group will qualify directly for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup finals.
With both Pakistan and Afghanistan still searching for their first points in the qualifiers, Thursday’s match promises to be a test of resilience, preparation, and national pride — one that could shape their journey in the continental campaign.
