The Pakistan national under-17 football team is a youth football team operated under the Pakistan Football Federation. The team represents Pakistan in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup and the SAFF U-17 Championship, winning the latter's inaugural edition, and is yet to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
 | |||
| Nickname | Green Boys | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Pakistan Football Federation | ||
| Confederation | AFC (Asia) | ||
| Sub-confederation | SAFF (South Asia) | ||
| Head coach | Muhammad Essa | ||
| FIFA code | PAK | ||
| |||
| First international | |||
 Pakistan 1–1 Maldives  (Kathmandu, Nepal; July 1992) | |||
| Biggest win | |||
 Guam 0–11
Pakistan (Besh-Kungoy, Kyrgyzstan; 30 November 2025) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
 Indonesia 25–0 Pakistan (Tehran, Iran; 28 October 2012) | |||
| AFC U-17 Asian Cup | |||
| Appearances | 1 (first in 2002) | ||
| Best result | Group Stage (2002) | ||
| SAFF U-17 Championship | |||
| Appearances | 6 (first in 2011) | ||
| Best result | Champions (2011) | ||
Medal record | |||
History
edit1990s
editIn February 1992, Pakistan competed in the Coca Cola U-16 Cup in Thailand.[1] Pakistan participated in the AFC U-16 Championship for the first time in 1992, finishing fourth in their five-team group at Rajshahi Stadium in Bangladesh in May 1992. The clash between Pakistan and Maldives ended in a 1–1 draw. In the 24th minute midfielder Mohammad Ayub scored for Pakistan until Maldives fought back and their striker Ahmad Saleh levelled the game.[2] India beat Pakistan 2–0 in the second match. The Pakistanis played with 10 players when the referee sent right back Adeel Sarfraz Butt off in the 59th minute. Ajoy Singh scored first and the second goal came from a penalty in the 70th by Prosunjit Paul.[2] Host Bangladesh booted Pakistan out of the tournament defeating them by one goal to nil, the solitary goal, netted by right winger Jahangir five minutes before the final whistle. Pakistan lost to Nepal 0–1 in their last match. Nepal's stopper back Gambir Rai scored the lone goal in the ninth minute from a penalty.[2]
2000s
editPakistan along with Yemen fielded eight and four overage players respectively at the 2002 AFC U-17 Championship after passing the qualifying round, and were fined and suspended for taking part in the next 2004 AFC U-17 Championship after the discovery.[3][4][5]
2010s
editPakistan participated in the inaugural SAFF U-16 Championship held in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2011 with Sajjad Mehmood as the head coach, Hassan Baloch as manager and Munir Aftab as the captain.[6][7][8] It beat India 1–0 in its first match, before winning 6–0 versus Maldives to reach the semi-finals. Two late goals helped it beat Bangladesh, and thus qualify for the final, in which it beat India 2–1 to win the tournament. Mohammad Bilal was the tournament's top goalscorer with 4 goals,[6] while striker Mansoor Khan was declared the tournament's best player.[7] Overall, Pakistan scored 11 goals and conceded only one.
In September 2011 for its AFC U-16 Championship qualification campaign, the team retained the same 22-player squad that had won the previous year's SAFF U-16 Championship. It finished fourth in its six-team group, securing wins against Maldives (4–0)[9] and Afghanistan (3–1), but losing against Kuwait (0–2), United Arab Emirates (0–2), and Yemen (0–4).
In March 2012, the Pakistan national under-16 team then participated in the 2012 KPT Challenge Cup as "National Youth B". Drawn into a group with senior teams WAPDA and Pakistan Navy, the young team lost 0–3 against the former, and 0–2 against the latter. In May, it participated in the National Under-22 Football Championship, where it drew 0–0 against Baloch Nushki and 1–1 against Sindh, thus topping group B. In the semi-finals, the youth team lost 0–2 against Pakistan Army. In July 2012, three under-16 players went to Abu Dhabi for a month-long training camp at the Manchester United Soccer Schools.[10]
The under-16 team participated in the 2013 SAFF U-16 Championship held in Nepal, where it was eliminated in the group stage after finishing third in its group after 0–0 draws against both Afghanistan and Bhutan,[11][12] and a 0–3 loss to Nepal. Sajjad Mehmood was the coach for these fixtures.
The team withdrew from the 2015 SAFF U-16 Championship due to conflicts among the government and the Pakistan Football Federation.[13]
In October 2018, the under-15 team participated in the 2018 SAFF U-15 Championship held in Nepal.[14] After victories against India, Bhutan and Nepal,[15] until finishing runner-up in the final against Bangladesh, the team drew by 1–1 draw until finally losing in the penalty shootout.[16][17][18] The team also participated in the 2020 AFC U-16 Championship qualification in 2019.[19][20]
2020s
editAfter inactivity due to the three-and-a-half years Pakistan Football Federation's suspension by FIFA, the team played at the 2023 SAFF U-16 Championship and 2024 SAFF U-17 Championship, both times ending semifinalists. In 2025, at the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification, the team ended second in the group stage and failed to qualify, but recorded a record 11–0 victory over Guam.[21] In April 2026, the team participated at the UEFA Under-16 Development Tournament.[22]
Coaching staff
edit- As of February 2026
| Position | Name[23] |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Muhammad Essa |
| Assistant coaches | Muhammad Arshad |
| Nadeem | |
| Team manager | N/A |
| Goalkeeping coach | Jaffar Khan |
Players
editCurrent Squad
editThe following 23 players were selected for the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification.
Results and fixtures
editThe following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss
2025
edit| 16 September 2025 2025 SAFF U17 GS | Bhutan  | 0–4 | Pakistan | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| 19:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Colombo Racecourse Stadium Attendance: 143 Referee: Shyam Lal Danuwar (Nepal) |
| 19 September 2025 2025 SAFF U17 GS | Pakistan | 5–2 | Maldives | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| 14:30 |
|
Report | Stadium: Colombo Racecourse Stadium Attendance: 153 Referee: Md Alamgir Sarker (Bangladesh) |
| 22 September 2025 2025 SAFF U17 GS | India  | 3–2 | Pakistan | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| 14:30 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Colombo Racecourse Stadium Attendance: 157 Referee: Kasun L. Weerkakkody (Sri Lanka) |
| 25 September 2025 2025 SAFF U17 SF | Bangladesh  | 2–0 | Pakistan | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| 14:30 | Report | Stadium: Colombo Racecourse Stadium Attendance: 157 Referee: Pema Tshewang (Bhutan) |
| 22 November 2025 2026 AFC U17 ACQ | Cambodia  | 1–3 | Pakistan | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan |
| 18:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium Referee: Ahmad Al-Khalifa (Syria) |
| 24 November 2025 2026 AFC U17 ACQ | Kyrgyzstan  | 1–3 | Pakistan | Bishkek, Kyrgizstan |
| 18:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium Referee: Saif Kamal Aisha (Palestine) |
| 26 November 2025 2026 AFC U17 ACQ | Pakistan | 1–2 |  Laos | Bishkek, Kyrgizstan |
| 14:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium Referee: Mohamed Jafran (Sri Lanka) |
| 28 November 2025 2026 AFC U17 ACQ | Pakistan | 1–5 |  Yemen | Bishkek, Kyrgizstan |
| 14:00 |
|
Report | Stadium: Alga Sports Complex Stadium Referee: Tuan Yaasin Hanafiah (Malaysia) |
| 30 November 2025 2026 AFC U17 ACQ | Guam | 0–11 | Pakistan | Bishkek, Kyrgizstan |
| 14:00 | Report | Stadium: Alga Sports Complex Stadium Referee: Ahmad Al-Khalifa (Syria) |
2026
edit| 25 April 2026 UEFA Under-16 Development Tournament | Pakistan | 1–4 |  Kazakhstan | Shymkent, Kazakhstan |
A. Samad  |
P. Shipitsin 5' A. Tolendi 20'D. Zarechny 29'D. Kassi 45' |
| 27 April 2026 UEFA Under-16 Development Tournament | Pakistan | 1–2 |  Russia | Shymkent, Kazakhstan |
| Shahraz Khan 50' |
A. Braginets 7' K. Denisov 78' |
| 30 April 2026 UEFA Under-16 Development Tournament | Pakistan | v |  Azerbaijan | Shymkent, Kazakhstan |
Competition records
editFIFA U-17 World Cup
edit| FIFA U-17 World Cup record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Host/Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
 1985
to |
did not qualify | |||||||
| 2017
to
|
did not enter | |||||||
| Total | 0/20 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
AFC U-17 Asian Cup
edit| AFC U-17 Asian Cup record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Host/Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
 1985
to
|
did not enter | |||||||
 1992 |
did not qualify | |||||||
| 1994 |
did not enter | |||||||
 1996 | ||||||||
| 1998 |
did not qualify | |||||||
 2000 | ||||||||
 2002 |
Group Stage | 10th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
 2004 |
did not enter | |||||||
 2006
to |
did not qualify | |||||||
| 2016
to |
did not enter | |||||||
| 2026 |
did not qualify | |||||||
| Total | 1/19 | – | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
SAFF U-16 Championship
edit| SAFF U-15/16/17 Championship record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hosts / Year | Result | Position | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA |
 2011 | Champions | 1/6 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
| 2013 | Group Stage | 5/7 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 2015 | Withdrew | 0/6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | did not enter | 0/6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | Runners-up | 2/6 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 2 |
| 2019 | did not enter | 0/6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
 2022 | did not enter | 0/6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Semi-Final | 3/6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 |
| 2024 | Semi-Final | 3/7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 6 |
| 2025 | Semi-Final | 3/7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 7 |
| Total | 6/10 | 1 Title | 22 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 50 | 22 |
Honours
edit
See also
editReferences
edit- ↑ "Coca Cola U-16 Cups 1984-1992". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- 1 2 3 Pakistan Year Book. East & West Publishing Company. 1992. p. 121.
- ↑ "Pakistan penalised in age scandal". telegraphindia.com. 12 December 2002.
- ↑ archive (16 December 2002). "Fielded over-age players in under-17 competition Yemeni footballers kicked out of games [Archives:2002/51/Sports]". Yemen Times archives. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
- ↑ "SPORTS WORLD: AFC President's Cup: PFF must cash in on opportunity". Brecorder. 16 June 2007. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
- 1 2 "'More international exposure will prepare U-16 boys for senior team'". Dawn. 13 August 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2023.[dead link]
- 1 2 "Pakistan U-16 defy all odd to win SAFF U-16 Football Championship final". Dawn. 10 August 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ↑ "Pakistan footballer Munir Aftab passes away". www.geosuper.tv. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ↑ "Pakistan U-16 crush Maldives 4-0". The Express Tribune. 13 September 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ↑ Raheel, Natasha (3 July 2012). "Feature: Under-16 footballers dreaming big". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ↑ Raheel, Natasha (20 July 2013). "Pakistan record goalless draw in opener". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ↑ Raheel, Natasha (22 July 2013). "Pakistan succumb to another draw". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ↑ Wasim, Umaid (16 July 2015). "Hayat blames govt for abrupt SAFF U-16 withdrawal". Dawn. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ↑ "Pak colts leave for Nepal to feature in SAFF U15 C'ship". www.thenews.com.pk. 21 October 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ↑ "Mohib steers Pakistan into SAFF U-15 Cup final". www.thenews.com.pk. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ↑ "Pakistan reach SAFF Under-15 C'ship final". www.thenews.com.pk. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ↑ "Pakistan lost SAFF U-15 C'ship final on penalties to Bangladesh". The Nation. 4 November 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ↑ natasha.raheel (3 November 2018). "Saff U15 Championship: Pakistan lose to Bangladesh in final". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ↑ "Young Pakistani footballers get warm welcome in Saudi Arabia". Arab News. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ↑ "Pak U16s leave for AFC C'ship 2020 Qualifiers". www.thenews.com.pk. 13 September 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ↑ "Pakistan end AFC U17 qualifiers with 11-0 win over Guam".
- ↑ "Historic breakthrough: Pakistan U-16s set for maiden UEFA competition appearance in Kazakhstan | Sports | thenews.pk". www.thenews.pk. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
- ↑ "Pakistan finalise coaching panels for U-16, U-20 and national football teams". www.geosuper.tv. Retrieved 22 February 2026.