Pakistan Name 23-Player U17 Squad for Laos Qualifiers
The Pakistan Football Federation has announced a 23-member Pakistan U17 squad for the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, scheduled to be held in Laos from November 8 to 20, 2026. Head coach Mohammad Habib will lead the young Shaheens in Group D, where Pakistan will compete against Iran, Jordan, hosts Laos and Sri Lanka.
The squad was announced on November 4, 2026, days before the tournament begins. The selected players earned their places through impressive performances in the recently concluded PFF National U-17 Football Championship 2026, which featured emerging talent from across the country competing for a chance to represent Pakistan at international level.
The federation said the championship served as a merit-based platform for identifying promising young players, with standout performers securing places in the national squad. The selection underlines the federation’s stated commitment to strengthening youth football and giving emerging players a route to the international stage.
Pakistan U17 squad: the full list
The 23-member squad features three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders and five forwards.
Samar Razzaq, Wali Ullah and Ahsan Ullah have been selected as the three goalkeepers. The defensive line comprises Nadeem Hussain, Hamza Khan, Muhammad Hammad, Syed Manzar Shah, Mubashir Shah, Muhammad Awais, Hasnain Ali and Mohsin Amin.
The midfield department includes Abdul Sammad, Arsalan Fareedi, Muhammad Khalil Ullah, Muhammad Irmad Sarwar, Muhammad Anees, Bari Dad and Essa Khan. Muhammad Raffy, Muhammad Moosa, Muhammad Shahzad, Hazrat Abbas and Haris Khan will lead Pakistan’s attacking options.
That balance, with eight defenders and seven midfielders, suggests a squad built to stay organised against stronger opposition first, then use its five forwards to attack on the break. Against Iran and Jordan, both established youth programmes, organisation will matter as much as flair.
A tough group in Laos
Group D offers no easy game. Iran and Jordan bring structured youth systems and regular continental experience. Hosts Laos will have home support and familiarity with local conditions. Sri Lanka, the fourth opponent, will see the qualifiers as a chance to test themselves against the group’s stronger sides.
Pakistan’s young Shaheens will therefore need to carry their domestic form onto the continental stage quickly. The qualifiers are short, with little time to recover from a poor start, so the opening match will set the tone for the whole campaign. Qualification for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2027 is the prize, and only the strongest sides in each group will advance.
The announcement comes at a busy time for Pakistan football. The senior side is preparing for its SAFF Championship opener, and the under-19 side is defending its Asia Cup title in Oman. A strong U17 campaign in Laos would add to a sense that the youth pipeline is finally producing players ready for continental football.
Why youth tournaments matter for Pakistan
For Pakistan, youth qualifiers are about more than one tournament. They give teenage players their first taste of international football, expose them to faster and more physical opposition, and show coaches which players can handle pressure away from home.
A merit-based national championship feeding directly into the squad is also a welcome step. Too often in the past, selection debates have overshadowed youth teams. A clear route from domestic performance to national selection gives young players a reason to trust the system and gives fans a reason to follow it.
The challenge now is continuity. One qualifying campaign, however it ends, will not transform Pakistan football on its own. The players named for Laos need coaching, competitive matches and support when they return home, so that the experience feeds into the under-19 and senior sides in the years ahead.
Football governance elsewhere also made news this week, with a Belgian court ruling on homegrown player rules covered in Belgian Court Rejects Antwerp Homegrown Challenge.
Frequently asked questions
When are the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers?
The qualifiers will be held in Laos from November 8 to 20, 2026.
Who is in Pakistan’s group?
Pakistan are in Group D with Iran, Jordan, hosts Laos and Sri Lanka.
Who coaches the Pakistan U17 team?
Head coach Mohammad Habib will lead the young Shaheens in Laos.
How many players are in the squad?
The squad has 23 players: three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders and five forwards.
How were the players selected?
The federation says players earned their places through performances in the PFF National U-17 Football Championship 2026.
