Lahore: The Pakistan Women’s National Team is set to depart for Côte d’Ivoire on Monday to participate in the FIFA Series, marking one of the most significant milestones in the history of women’s football in Pakistan.
At a press conference held in Lahore on Sunday, the team’s management, coaching staff, and captain spoke with clarity and conviction: this group is going there to win.
Mejzgaan Orakzai, Director of the Pakistan Football Federation Women’s Football Department, stated that the team’s participation in their first-ever FIFA event was made possible by efforts by PFF President Mohsen Gilani.
“I would like to thank PFF President Mohsen Gilani, whose personal efforts have resulted in Pakistan being able to participate in the FIFA Series,” she said. “Without his personal involvement and the collaboration of PFF staff we wouldn’t have been able to do this.”
It is a point worth underscoring. The FIFA Series places Pakistan in competition against sides from outside their usual confederation boundaries — Turks and Caicos Islands (CONCACAF), Mauritania, and Ivory Coast (both CAF) — an opportunity that required deliberate pursuit at the highest level of federation leadership.
“This is a unique opportunity to play outside of our confederation,” she said. “We are exposed to different styles of playing, different tactical identities. Our global connections are fostered and developed. This is crucial for the team’s growth.”
The PFF Women’s Football Department, which operates as an all-women’s unit, is also focused on building an ecosystem that extends well beyond the playing field — creating pathways for women coaches, referees, administrators, and managers at every level of the game.
Adeel Rizki: “One of the strongest squads we’ve had”
Head Coach Adeel Rizki was measured but unambiguous in his assessment of this squad. “The preparations have been quite strong. I believe this is one of the strongest squads we’ve had so far. We expect to go there and compete at the highest level and make Pakistan proud.”
When asked about selection decisions, Rizki outlined a philosophy built entirely on footballing merit — and one that explicitly rejects any division between diaspora and locally-based players.
“There is no diaspora versus local. We need to keep the balance correct and grow the entire ecosystem. We look at the characteristics and character of the player, their current form, the opponents we are facing, and which players best suit our game model. The question is always: which Pakistani player is best suited for which position. That is how we go about it.”
He also set out a clear roadmap for where this programme is headed. The short-term target is the SAFF Championship. Beyond that, a qualification spot in the Asian qualifiers. And on the longer horizon — Olympic qualifiers and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“With such a strong team in place and strong women around us, these are not unachievable goals,” he said.
Captain Maria Khan: “The Pressure is on Ivory Coast. Not on Us.”
Maria Khan, captain of the Pakistan Women’s National Team, carried that same competitive confidence into her remarks and was equally emphatic that the squad functions as a single, unified unit.
“We don’t see diaspora versus local. We see Pakistani players ready to represent their country. We are one team — from the technical staff to the people behind the scenes, to the media, to the women’s department. All of us, one team.”
On facing higher-ranked opposition, including Ivory Coast — a side with World Cup qualification experience — Khan did not flinch. “Playing higher-ranked opponents is nothing new to us. We played the Philippines before, which was also a World Cup team. Since then, the team has grown — not just in experience, but in character and playing ability. Anytime you get to play in these situations, it’s an opportunity to do something great. The pressure is on Ivory Coast. It’s not on us.”
She also spoke about what is perhaps the most telling indicator of how far this programme has come: several players in this squad are joining up directly from professional football clubs. “The best sign is the fact that we have players coming from fully professional leagues to represent the country during FIFA windows. That is one of the best signs for our national team.”
Asked about her favourite memory in a Pakistan shirt, Khan answered without hesitation. “It was back in 2022. Lining up to represent the country for the first time and hearing the national anthem. It just hits different.”