Football in Pakistan
Encyclopedia
Association football is a national sport
in Pakistan
, alongside other popular sports such as cricket
and field hockey
, and is organised and regulated by the Pakistan Football Federation
.
, which expanded from 14 to 16 teams in August 2010.
is the national knockout competition of football in Pakistan.
is a member of the Asian Football Confederation
, and its sub-confederation the South Asian Football Federation
, as well as world governing board FIFA
.
National sport
A national sport or national pastime is a sport or game that is considered to be an intrinsic part of the culture of a nation. Some sports are de facto national sports, as baseball is in the U.S., while others are de jure as lacrosse and ice hockey are in Canada.-De jure national sports:-De facto...
in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, alongside other popular sports such as cricket
Cricket in Pakistan
Cricket has been played in Pakistan since before the birth of the nation in 1947, going as far back as the 19th century. It was introduced by the British during their colonial rule of British India, of which Pakistan was a part. Despite Field hockey being the national sport of Pakistan, cricket is...
and field hockey
Field hockey
Field Hockey, or Hockey, is a team sport in which a team of players attempts to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking a ball into an opposing team's goal using sticks...
, and is organised and regulated by the Pakistan Football Federation
Pakistan Football Federation
The Pakistan Football Federation is the governing body of football in Pakistan. The PFF’s headquarters is at FIFA Football House in Lahore, Punjab near the Punjab Stadium.-Overview:...
.
League system
The highest football division in Pakistan is the Pakistan Premier LeaguePakistan Premier League
The Pakistan Premier League is the first division of Pakistani football. It was established in 2004, in place of the National Championship by the Pakistan Football Federation.-Origins:...
, which expanded from 14 to 16 teams in August 2010.
Cup competitions
The Pakistan National Football Challenge CupPakistan National Football Challenge Cup
The Pakistan National Football Challenge Cup is the national "knockout" cup competition in Pakistani football, run by the Pakistan Football Federation. It was created in 2005 in place of the PFF President's Cup...
is the national knockout competition of football in Pakistan.
National team
The Pakistan national football teamPakistan national football team
The Pakistan national football team is controlled by the Pakistan Football Federation and is a member of the Asian Football Confederation . The team has not yet qualified for either the FIFA World Cup or Asian Cup championships. Twice they have finished third in the South Asian Football Federation...
is a member of the Asian Football Confederation
Asian Football Confederation
The Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are...
, and its sub-confederation the South Asian Football Federation
South Asian Football Federation
South Asian Football Federation , founded in 1997, is an association of the football playing nations in South Asia. Its founding members are Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Bhutan joined the federation in 2000 and Afghanistan in 2005...
, as well as world governing board FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
.