The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has unveiled a 27-man preliminary squad for the opening match of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualification – Third Round against Syria. The crucial fixture is set to take place at Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium in Hofuf, Saudi Arabia, on March 25.
This announcement follows the return of Stephen Constantine as the head coach of the national men’s team, marking his second stint at the helm. The Englishman, who previously led Pakistan during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, is once again entrusted with guiding the Shaheens through this important qualification campaign.
Notable Inclusions and Exclusions
The squad primarily consists of players previously favored by Constantine during his first tenure. However, a significant omission has caught the attention of fans—Otis Khan, the team’s star forward and former captain, is absent from the squad. Reports circulating online suggest that he has been dropped due to disciplinary reasons.
On the positive side, defensive stalwart and captain Easah Suliman makes his return after an injury sidelined him for Pakistan’s last few international fixtures. His comeback is expected to provide much-needed stability to the defensive line.
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Squad Breakdown
The 27-member squad features a mix of experienced domestic players and overseas-based talent, including several key diaspora footballers. Among the notable call-ups are:
Announced Players
- Goalkeeper: Adam Khan, Yousuf Butt, Saqib Hanif, Abdul Basit
- Defenders & Midfielders: Abdullah Iqbal, Easah Suliman, Haseeb Khan, Junaid Shah, Mamoon Moosa, Mohammad Fazal, Abdul Rehman, Waqar Ihtisam, Alamgir Ghazi, Ali Uzair, Ali Zafar, Muhammad Umar Hayat, Rahis Nabi, Toqeer ul Hassan, Umair Ali, Moin Ahmed
- Forwards: Adeel Younas, Abdul Samad, Fareedullah, Harun Hamid, Imran Kayani, Mckeal Abdullah, Shayak Dost,
Pakistan’s Road to the AFC Asian Cup 2027
Ranked 201st in the FIFA rankings, Pakistan has been drawn into Group E for the qualifiers, alongside Syria, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. The format follows a home-and-away system, with the top teams advancing further in the qualification process.
Pakistan will kick off their campaign against Syria in an away fixture before playing their second qualifier on June 10, 2025, against Myanmar at Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad.
With Constantine back at the helm and a squad that blends experience with emerging talent, Pakistani football fans will be hoping for a strong start in their bid to reach the AFC Asian Cup 2027.