In a bold and determined move, the Pakistan national football team will remain in camp during Eidul Azha as they prepare for their must-win AFC Asia Cup Qualifier against Myanmar on June 10. The match will be held at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad, just two days after the expected date of Eid, leaving no room for a traditional holiday break.

The decision was confirmed by Shahid Khokhar, Chairman of the Pakistan Football Federation’s (PFF) FIFA-appointed Normalization Committee (NC), in a statement to The News. According to Khokhar, the tight schedule has made it impossible to release players for Eid celebrations without compromising crucial preparation time.

The PFF NC has therefore decided to keep the squad together throughout the holiday, emphasizing the importance of continuity, focus, and team cohesion as Pakistan looks to secure a spot in the next phase of the continental tournament.

Familiar Faces to Return

Adding to the continuity theme, the NC has opted to retain the same squad that recently faced Syria in an international friendly—a match that ended in a narrow defeat for the Green Shirts. The core lineup will remain unchanged unless injuries or unforeseen circumstances force adjustments.

“All the players who were shortlisted for the Syria game, including those from the diaspora, have been called up again,” Khokhar confirmed.

The training camp is set to begin around May 25, with approximately 30 players expected to report at Jinnah Stadium. The venue, already familiar to many of the players, will host the intensive sessions leading up to the high-stakes encounter.

Constantine Retains Full Control

Head coach Stephen Constantine, who took over the reins last year, has been given full autonomy over squad selection and staffing decisions. His previous choices, including both local and foreign-based support staff, will remain in place for the upcoming qualifier.

The match against Myanmar represents more than just a qualification hurdle—it’s a litmus test for a team looking to re-establish its footing on the Asian football stage. With the PFF still under a normalization mandate from FIFA and domestic football structures rebuilding after years of disarray, the upcoming fixture is a moment of reckoning for Pakistan football.

A Moment of Sacrifice, A Chance for Glory

While missing Eid with their families is a difficult sacrifice for players and staff, the decision underlines the seriousness with which this match is being approached. With just over a month to go, the countdown to June 10 has begun. All eyes will now be on Islamabad, where sacrifice meets opportunity, and a nation dares to dream.