Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) President Mohsen Gilani said on Tuesday that the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) had not completed visa formalities for its entire squad, as most of the players were based abroad and did not appear for biometric verification at the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul.
“The players and officials who were in Afghanistan have received their visas,” Gilani told Dawn.com. “But those living overseas were required to return to Kabul for the process, as per the AFF’s own arrangement with the embassy.”
Despite the uncertainty, the PFF continues to promote the fixture as scheduled for October 9 at Islamabad’s Jinnah Stadium, with tickets still available through official channels.
The Afghan Voice Agency reported that the AFF sent its team list to the Pakistan Embassy on September 18 but “despite repeated follow-ups and official contacts, visas have not been issued to the players and officials.”
“The Afghan national football team includes players travelling from Europe, Australia, the United States, Canada and Asia,” the AFF said. “The delay in visa issuance has disrupted preparations, and even if visas are granted now, the players will face the hosts without training.”
Gilani said the PFF received the official squad list on September 27, along with a request from the AFF to change visa interview locations for players abroad. He noted that AFC regulations require visiting teams to apply for visas at least 30 days before the fixture.
“We cooperated as much as possible, but the visa forms listed the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul as the only interview location,” Gilani said. “Their dual-national players can enter on visit visas, but they cannot play in an official AFC match under that status.”
Reports from Afghanistan said the national team, coached by Italian Vincenzo Alberto Annese, had assembled in Dubai and was awaiting clearance to travel.
Both Pakistan and Afghanistan are yet to earn a point in Group E after defeats to Syria and Myanmar. The two sides are also set to meet again on October 14 in Kuwait for the return leg.
The AFC Competitions Committee is reviewing the situation and will determine whether to postpone, relocate, or award a walkover for the match