Pakistan’s national football team, under the leadership of head coach Stephen Constantine, is set to commence its campaign in the third round of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers with a match against Syria on March 25, 2025. This encounter marks Pakistan’s inaugural participation at this stage of the qualifiers, following a historic victory over Cambodia.
Drawn into Group E, Pakistan will compete against Syria, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. The group winner will secure a spot in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia. The opening match against Syria is set to take place at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Despite the milestone achievement, the team faces significant challenges. The absence of a domestic league has limited local players’ opportunities for regular competitive play. Consequently, the squad relies heavily on foreign-based players to strengthen its lineup. In the previous round, Pakistan faced six consecutive defeats, highlighting the uphill task ahead.
Syria, having qualified for the last two editions of the Asian Cup and reaching the knockout stages in 2023, presents a formidable challenge. The team boasts a strong attacking lineup, including Omar Khribin, the 2017 AFC Asian Player of the Year, and seasoned striker Omar Al Soma. Despite recent political upheavals leading to significant changes in their football administration and team identity, Syria remains a competitive force in Asian football.
Pakistan enters the qualifiers as underdogs but remains hopeful under Constantine’s guidance. The team’s performance in this match will be crucial in setting the tone for their journey in the qualifiers, as they aim to secure a place in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
