ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan men’s football team on Sunday arrived in Jordan to play their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round 2 Qualifier away fixture against the Middle Eastern side, which is scheduled to be held on Mar. 26.
Jordan thrashed Pakistan 3-0 at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad during the first qualifying match between the two sides last Thursday. The match marked the first time in 18 years that Jordan’s football team arrived in Pakistan to play a football match.
To play their second qualifying match, the Pakistan team departed for Jordan in the wee hours of Sunday.
“The national team arrived in Amman through a private airline flight via Doha,” the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) said in a statement.
The Pakistan vs Jordan away match will start at 12pm Pakistan time on March 26.
In a setback for Pakistan, the PFF earlier announced that Pakistani defender Abdullah Iqbal had been suspended for the crucial game as a result of accumulated yellow cards during recent matches.
Iqbal was issued the first yellow card during the initial round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers match against Cambodia in Islamabad on Oct. 17, 2023.
“Subsequently, he acquired another yellow card during a home match against Jordan in the second round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on the 21st of March, 2024,” the PFF said.
Last October, Pakistan beat Cambodia 1-0 to win their first ever FIFA World Cup qualifier in Islamabad. Pakistan subsequently lost 4-0 to Saudi Arabia in the second round.
Pakistan football team arrives in Jordan to play World Cup qualifying away fixture
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Pakistan football team arrives in Jordan to play World Cup qualifying away fixture
- Jordan thrashed Pakistan last Thursday 3-0 in first FIFA World Cup qualifying match between two sides
- Pakistani defender Abdullah Iqbal suspended for crucial away match due to accumulated yellow cards
Sri Lanka hire fielding coach Sridhar ahead of Pakistan series, T20 World Cup
- Sri Lanka will play three-match T20I home series against Pakistan in January
- Series will serve as preparation for T20 World Cup which is to begin in February
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka have hired former Indian fielding coach R. Sridhar to do the same job for them ahead of the men’s T20 World Cup starting in February, the board said Wednesday.
The 55-year-old Indian will also help Sri Lanka’s team for the upcoming home series against Pakistan and England, Sri Lanka Cricket said.
He will be on a three-month contract, SLC said, noting that he is already familiar with the national team, having conducted a 10-day specialized fielding program earlier this year.
In October, Sri Lanka expanded their coaching team with the induction of Julian Wood, known for his power-hitting program, and spin specialist Rene Ferdinands.
Sri Lanka’s former skipper Sanath Jayasuriya continues as head coach.
