Pakistan national football team missed a chance for a friendly match against Russia this October due to time constraints.
Sources indicate that Russia had offered to host a friendly during the FIFA international window in October.
The Russian Football Federation agreed to cover all expenses for the match, which was initially set for October 11 in Russia. However, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) declined the offer, citing insufficient preparation time.
In reply, the PFF suggested postponing the friendly to the November window, but this request was rejected by the Russian Football Federation.
The last communication between the two federations was in late September, and with no updates since, the likelihood of a November match appears slim.
Additionally, sources have revealed that FIFA will not provide funding to the PFF for friendly matches, complicating plans to organize an international fixture with another opponent in November.
“Talks with Russia started because they were willing to cover all costs,” one source stated. “In the future, a match will only be possible if the hosting federation agrees to shoulder the expenses.”
As it stands, the future of Pakistan’s national team remains uncertain as they seek opportunities for international play.