US Embassy Islamabad & Pakistan Football Federation Launch FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown

Islamabad, Pakistan.Report By Muhammad Saleem
The US Embassy in Islamabad, in partnership with the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), hosted a high-profile kick-off event marking the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026™, celebrating the cultural and economic bonds that the world’s biggest football tournament inspires.

The event was attended by approximately 150 guests, including Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker, PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani, chief guest Minister of Railways Hanif Abbasi, Chairman of PM’s Youth Programme Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, along with representatives from Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, a football manufacturing company, and members of the diplomatic and sports communities.
CDA Natalie Baker said: “President Trump has underscored that the 2026 FIFA World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to showcase the beauty and greatness of America. We are eager to welcome fans to the United States, especially as we prepare to celebrate our 250th birthday on July 4.”
She further described the tournament as the beginning of an “American Decade of Sport,” noting that between now and 2034, the United States will host at least 10 major international sporting events — including the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles — events she said would leave a legacy of stronger economies and deeper cultural connections.
PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani acknowledged that Pakistan’s national team did not qualify for the tournament but said excitement across the country remains sky-high. “There is a wave of excitement for the first-ever 48-team event in North America. The euphoria will reach fever pitch when the World Cup kicks off — every moment of the biggest football show on earth will be celebrated across Pakistan,” he said.
Gilani also extended best wishes to the United States in its bid to host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup in partnership with Mexico, Jamaica, and Costa Rica.
A centrepiece of the evening was the grand unveiling of an oversized football — proudly manufactured in Sialkot, Punjab — reflecting Pakistan’s long-standing role as a global hub of football production. The event concluded with a ceremonial gift exchange, Coca-Cola’s recognition of two female Pakistan national football players, and a lively informal penalty-kick challenge on the field.