Asian World Cup Qualifiers: Pakistan's Struggles Highlight Format Flaws
Pakistan's journey in the FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers has been a rollercoaster of emotions, showcasing both progress and the systemic challenges faced by emerging football nations in Asia.
Under the guidance of new coach Stephen Constantine, Pakistan achieved a historic milestone last October by securing their first-ever World Cup qualification win against Cambodia, narrowly edging a 1-0 victory in a tense two-legged tie. This breakthrough paved the way for Pakistan to compete in the second round of the qualifiers, facing formidable opponents like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Tajikistan.
Despite the team's best efforts, Pakistan faced tough competition, conceding 10 goals over two matches— a 3-0 loss at home and a 7-0 defeat in Amman. While these results may have left fans disheartened, advancing to the second round marks a significant step forward for a team that had never progressed beyond the initial stage of Asian qualification.
Pakistan's participation in the qualifiers not only provides invaluable competitive experience but also underscores the inherent flaws in the current Asian qualification format. With lower-ranked teams like Pakistan granted only a couple of opportunities in the early stages, their entire World Cup ambitions hinge on just a few matches, leaving little room for error or recovery.
The plight of other emerging teams is equally stark. Countries and regions such as Bhutan, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, China's Macao, Sri Lanka, Guam, East Timor, and Brunei find themselves out of the World Cup cycle early on, sparking concerns about the inclusivity and fairness of the qualification process.
While Pakistan's ongoing campaign guarantees their participation in the next round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, the broader system continues to marginalize the weakest teams, limiting their growth and exposure on the international stage. As Asian football evolves, there is a pressing need to reassess and reform the qualification structure to foster a more equitable and competitive environment for all nations involved.
Reference(s):
How Asia's World Cup qualifying format disadvantages its weakest teams
cgtn.com
