Pakistan Coach Solano Sets SAFF Semi-Final Qualification as Immediate Goal
Pakistan will open their SAFF Championship 2026 campaign against India before facing Maldives, while the coach says the team will rely on domestic players due to the tournament's timing outside the FIFA international window.
ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Nov, 2026) Pakistan men’s national team head coach Nolberto Solano has expressed confidence in his squad ahead of the SAFF Championship 2026, setting qualification for the semi-finals as the team’s immediate goal. He emphasised the importance of collective effort, fitness, and long-term player development.
Speaking at a press conference held at a local hotel on Monday evening, Solano acknowledged the competition's challenges but said Pakistan were approaching the tournament with belief and determination.
"As usual, every competition is really tough, so we are looking forward to this challenge. We are trying to build a very strong side, and I don’t think we are too far away. We won in Maldives; we understand the level of competition, and we also played in Indonesia. We know what we have to do."
Pakistan are drawn in a group with India and Maldives. Solano made clear that the immediate priority is to secure a place in the last four.
"We go step by step. We have a big game against India on Thursday, followed by Maldives. Our focus is on these two matches and qualifying for the semi-finals. We have to think of every game as a final. The first final is against India, and the second final is against Maldives."
On the significance of the Pakistan-India fixture, Solano drew a parallel with the intense football rivalry between Peru and Chile.
"Peru-Chile is just like Pakistan-India. It has the same intensity. I understand what these games mean to the fans. We want to please the people because we know what it means to them. These games are special, and that itself is motivation."
Solano also emphasised that success would depend on collective commitment rather than individual performances.
"We have to be together. It is not an individual game; it is a collective game. When we attack and when we defend, we have to do it together."
Pakistan will initially be without their diaspora-based players as the opening phase of the competition falls outside the FIFA international match window. Solano, however, insisted that this would not be an excuse, backing the domestic talent available to him.
"At the beginning of this competition, we are not allowed to bring our diaspora players because it is not being organised during the FIFA window. But we are using local boys, and looking at the talent that exists here. No excuses. We believe in our boys."
He added that the national team’s talent pool remained open to players who demonstrate the right ability and attitude.
"The door is open to any player with talent and the right mentality. Slowly, slowly, we are building our team."