Lahore: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has unveiled a 50-man preliminary squad for the national U-23 team, marking the first step in preparations for upcoming AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualification.
The players, hailing from across the country, represent a mix of emerging talent and promising regulars who have made their mark in domestic and youth-level competitions. This preliminary selection underscores the PFF’s ambition to build a competitive squad capable of showcasing Pakistan’s growing football potential on the regional and international stage.
Training Camp in Abbottabad
All selected players have been instructed to report to Kunj Football Ground, Abbottabad, by 4:00 PM on 16 August 2025. Abbottabad’s higher-altitude conditions are expected to help the team improve stamina and fitness levels ahead of potential competitive fixtures.
The camp will provide newly appointed head coach Nolberto Solano and selectors with an opportunity to assess player form, fitness, and tactical adaptability. From this group of 50, a final squad will be chosen to represent Pakistan in the upcoming e AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualification. Pakistan’s opening fixture is against Iraq, scheduled for September 3, 2025, at 16:00 (local time).
A Nationwide Representation
The squad includes notable names such as Abdul Rehman, Adeel Younas, Mckeal Aroon Abdullah, Ali Zafar, Kamil Marwat Khan, Usman Ali and Mohibulah, alongside several fresh faces eager to make their debut at the U-23 level. This diversity highlights the increasing reach of football in Pakistan, with players coming from various regions including Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The announcement comes at a time when Pakistani football is striving under new leadership to rebuild its competitive edge after years of administrative challenges and limited international exposure. The U-23 setup is seen as a crucial pipeline for nurturing talent that could eventually graduate to the senior national team.
With football now recognized as one of the fastest-growing sports in Pakistan, such initiatives are vital for developing professional pathways for young players. The PFF has reiterated its commitment to organizing regular training camps and competitive fixtures to give emerging footballers the platform they need to excel.
Full Preliminary Squad:
Abdul Rehman, Abdul Wahab, Abid Ali, Adam Najeeb Ahmad Khan, Adeel Younas, Adnan Justin, Ahmed Salman, Ali Asif, Ali Haider Shah, Ali Zafar, Ameer Hamza, Amir Aslam, Ans Amin, Furqan Umar, Hamdaan Hassan, Hamza Munir, Harun Arshad Hamid, Haseeb Khan, Hassan Ali, Hayan Khattak, Junaid Shah, Kamil Marwat Khan, Khalid Owais, Khalil, Mckeal Aroon Abdullah, Mohibulah, Moin Ahmed, Muhammad Adeel, Muhammad Bilal, Muhammad Haroon, Muhammad Hassan, Muhammad Huzaifa, Muhammad Jeevan Khan, Muhammad Junaid, Muhammad Mazhar Khalid, Muhammad Musawir, Muhammad Raheel, Muhammad Saad, Muhammad Sudais, Muhammad Suleman Ali, Muhammad Zoraiz, Naveed Ahmed, Shahab Ahmed, Syed Ali Raza, Tufail Khan, Umair Arooj, Umair Bahader, Usman Ali, Wasiq ur Rehman, Faiz Karim.