Pakistan bow out of FIFA ASEAN Cup with first-ever point at a FIFA tournament

Pakistan's men's football team has completed its first appearance at a senior FIFA tournament. The inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup ended for the Green Shirts on 2 October 2026 with a 4-2 defeat to Vietnam at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, leaving Nolberto Solano's side fourth in Division I, Group B with one point from three matches.

The bare numbers tell only part of the story. Pakistan, ranked 198th in the world, scored their first goals and earned their first point at a FIFA competition, and they led a far more experienced Vietnam side for much of the first hour in their final game.

A tough opener in Bandung

Pakistan were drawn alongside Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam. The campaign began with a 4-0 defeat to Thailand at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, Indonesia, reported on 26 September 2026. Thailand went ahead after 31 minutes and were 2-0 up at half-time, before adding two more goals after the break.

Solano made changes at half-time, introducing Shayek Dost, Hayyan Khattak and Alamgir Ghazi, but Thailand's quality and sharpness in the final third proved decisive.

History against the Philippines

The second match, in Bandung on 29 September 2026, produced the moment of the tournament for Pakistan. Two goals down at half-time against a Philippines side ranked 135th, Pakistan rallied after the break. Ali Akbar Khan pulled a goal back and Abdul Samad Arshad then completed the comeback to secure a 2-2 draw.

Those were Pakistan's first goals at a FIFA tournament, and the draw gave them their first-ever point in one. For a national team that has spent long periods inactive in recent years, it was a significant marker.

Close to an upset against Vietnam

In Jakarta, Mohibullah Afridi gave Pakistan a 31st-minute lead and they held it until half-time. Vietnam responded with three goals after the interval, including strikes in the 50th and 80th minutes. Kaleemullah Khan reduced the deficit late on to raise hopes of a dramatic finish, but Vietnam added a fourth in stoppage time to settle the result.

Thailand topped the group, with Vietnam second and the Philippines third.

Building on the experience

Pakistan took part as guests in the inaugural tournament, with the Pakistan Football Federation announcing a 23-player squad on 20 September 2026. On 24 September 2026, FIFA reported that PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani had met FIFA President Gianni Infantino on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, where Infantino wished Pakistan well for the ASEAN Cup and for the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival 2026, which runs from 24 to 30 October 2026 in Azerbaijan.

Three matches against established Southeast Asian sides offered exactly the kind of competitive exposure Pakistani football has lacked. The challenge now is to keep the squad playing regularly so that the progress seen in Bandung and Jakarta is not lost.