Pakistan’s recent encounters with football heavyweights Jordan have shed light on a pressing issue in Asian football—the challenges faced by emerging teams in the World Cup qualifying format. Despite conceding 10 goals over two matches—a 3-0 loss at home and a 7-0 defeat in Amman—Pakistan’s advancement to the second round of qualifiers marks significant progress for a team that had never before moved past the first round.
Under the guidance of new coach Stephen Constantine, Pakistan achieved a historic milestone in October last year by defeating Cambodia 1-0 in a tense two-legged first-round tie. This victory not only represented Pakistan’s first win in a World Cup qualification match but also opened the door to compete against formidable opponents such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Tajikistan in the second round.
While the results in the second round have been challenging, with Pakistan losing four games so far, the team is guaranteed a spot in the next round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. This opportunity allows Pakistan to play six more matches at a competitive level, providing much-needed experience and exposure for a developing team.
In contrast, Cambodia and several other teams—including Bhutan, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, China’s Macao, Sri Lanka, Guam, East Timor, and Brunei—face a different reality. After their early exit from the World Cup qualifiers, these countries and regions must wait for a play-off round to attempt entry into the next stage of the Asian Cup qualifiers. For many, failure to advance means limited international competition over the next four years, hindering their development and exposure.
The current World Cup qualifying format in Asia places immense pressure on emerging teams, tying their fate to the outcome of just two matches at the beginning of the cycle. This structure disproportionately affects the region’s weaker teams, limiting their opportunities for growth and competitive play.
Pakistan’s recent journey underscores both the progress that can be made and the systemic challenges that persist. As Asian football continues to develop, there is a growing conversation about the need to reform the qualifying format to provide more equitable opportunities for all teams, fostering the growth of the sport across the continent.
Reference(s):
How Asia's World Cup qualifying format disadvantages its weakest teams
cgtn.com
