KARACHI: Pakistani football fans are unlikely to witness FIFA World Cup qualifier against Jordan at home as the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has confirmed that Islamabad’s Jinnah Stadium falls short of the global governing body’s standards.
Following the development, football enthusiasts in Pakistan may miss the opportunity to witness the qualifier against Jordan scheduled for March 21.
Islamabad’s Jinnah Stadium had previously hosted FIFA World Cup qualifier between Pakistan and Tajikistan in November, drawing a crowd of 24,000 spectators cheering for the national team.
In a press statement Monday, the PFF said it was actively exploring alternative venues to ensure the game takes place at a neutral location.
“In collaboration with the Pakistan Sports Board, the Pakistan Football Federation has been dedicatedly working on preparing Jinnah Stadium for the upcoming March match against Jordan,” PFF statement said.
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“Regrettably, despite our best efforts, the current standard of Jinnah Stadium does not meet FIFA requirements,” it added.
The PFF also highlighted a significant challenge related to lighting conditions, stating, “As the March game is scheduled to be held under lights and coincides with Ramazan, meeting FIFA’s lighting standards with the current setup has posed difficulties.”
Citing the January 21 deadline for venue submission and a commitment to upholding the game’s integrity, the PFF affirmed its decision to explore alternative options. “We will be in contact with the Jordan Football Association to discuss arrangements for a neutral venue for the home leg,” the statement said further.
