Days before a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Regulation Committee has informed the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) that the floodlights at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad do not comply with FIFA and AFC specifications.
The development came as the PFF team visited the Jinnah Stadium on May 3 and 18 to test the lighting and compile an observation report. However, after a detailed evaluation, it was evident that the headlights did not meet international standards.
If inconsistent lighting, especially around the goalposts, is not fixed, PFF will be forced to move next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia to a neutral venue.
According to a letter sent by the PFF to the PSB, the latter was immediately informed about the matter through official correspondence to rectify the situation. However, the PFF were disappointed that the situation remains the same.
The PFF has urged the PSB to suggest remedial measures so that the former can inform FIFA and the AFC accordingly.
Pakistan will play matches against Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan on June 6 and 11, respectively, in the second round of the qualifiers. The match against Saudi Arabia will be played at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad, while the match against Tajikistan will be played at the Central Stadium Dushanbe.
Pakistan are at the bottom of Group G as they have lost all the four matches they have played so far. Pakistan began their journey with a 4-0 defeat by Saudi Arabia at Al-Ahsa in November, followed by a 6-1 defeat by Tajikistan in Islamabad in the same month.
Jordan then defeated Pakistan 3-0 in Islamabad in a game played in Ramadan with the Shaheens also losing the reverse fixture 7-0 at the Amman International Stadium.
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