The Pakistan women’s national football team is set to achieve a historic milestone as it prepares to compete in the FIFA Series for the first time, with matches scheduled in Côte d’Ivoire from April 9 to 16.
This landmark participation marks Pakistan’s maiden appearance in a FIFA-sanctioned event at the senior women’s level, representing a significant step forward for women’s football in the country and offering players a rare opportunity to gain international exposure.
Pakistan will open its campaign against the Turks and Caicos Islands on April 9, followed by a clash with Mauritania on April 12. The team will conclude its group fixtures against hosts Côte d’Ivoire on April 16 in what promises to be a challenging and defining encounter.
Under the guidance of women’s head coach Adeel Rizki, the squad has undergone an intensive preparatory camp in Lahore, aimed at building cohesion and sharpening match readiness ahead of the international assignment. The team is scheduled to depart for Côte d’Ivoire on Monday.
Players have expressed excitement and gratitude ahead of the historic tour. Forward Nadia Khan lauded the efforts of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) President Syed Mohsen Gilani for facilitating the team’s participation. “On behalf of the entire team, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to PFF President Mohsen Gilani for making our participation in the FIFA Series possible,” she said.
“There’s a big difference between making promises and truly following through, and we deeply appreciate the effort it took to make this happen. Opportunities like this allow us to compete at a high level and gain invaluable exposure,” added forward Nadia Khan.
Goalkeeper Zeeyana Jivraj highlighted the importance of preparation and team bonding, noting that extended training time together would be crucial for performance. “FIFA specifically picks us to compete in the FIFA series, and I think it is really big for us,” she said.
“It’s always been a challenge for us because we rarely get enough time together as a team. That’s why this period has been so valuable, we’ve had a few weeks to train, connect, and build our understanding before heading to the Ivory Coast. Hopefully, this time together will help us gel as a team and perform at our best,” Zeeyana remarked.
Midfielder Sanah Mehdi called on fans to support the team during the tournament. “We’re all really looking forward to the support and please get behind us and watch our games,” Sanah said and added: “It means a lot to us and it’s what drives us forward.”
PAKISTAN WOMEN SQUAD FOR FIFA SERIES
Goalkeepers: Zeeyana Jivraj, Nisha Ashraf, Arzoo Hazara
Defenders: Isra Khan, Anaya Ahmad, Anmol Hira, Kayla Siddiqui, Karissa Jivraj, Alia Sadiq, Maria Khan, Nizalia Siddiqi
Midfielders: Suha Hirani, Rameen Fareed, Layla Banaras, Sanah Mehdi, Zehmena Malik
Forwards: Mariam Mahmood, Aqsa Mushtaq, Aiman Altaf, Nadia Khan, Maryam Zehri, Azwa Chaudhry.
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