The Pakistan men's national football team will make its first-ever appearance in a FIFA-sanctioned event later this year, marking a significant milestone for the country's football program. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) confirmed on Tuesday that the Shaheens will compete in the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, scheduled for the extended international window in September and October. Main Developments Pakistan is one of 14 teams participating in the tournament, which features two tiers of competition. The main FIFA ASEAN Cup, hosted by Indonesia, will include Pakistan alongside Malaysia, India, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and two other invited teams. The Shaheens are among three invited teams, with the remaining participants coming from Southeast Asia. The second tier, called the FIFA ASEAN Challenge Cup, features Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, and hosts Hong Kong and China. Teams will be grouped based on international rankings to ensure competitive balance. Both competitions use a single round-robin format, with group winners advancing to finals and runners-up contesting third-place matches. Read also: Pakistan face Bangladesh in CAVA volleyball final after unbeaten run Background The development first emerged in May but was officially confirmed by the PFF on Tuesday. Pakistan's participation follows the women's national team's involvement in the FIFA Series, which was the country's first FIFA event. The men's team has not previously competed in any FIFA-sanctioned tournament, making this debut a historic step. PFF president Syed Mohsen Gilani expressed gratitude to FIFA president Gianni Infantino for the opportunity. The tournament was created by FIFA to provide national teams with meaningful competitive opportunities and strengthen football ties in the region. Why It Matters For Pakistan, the ASEAN Cup offers a rare chance to play high-profile competitive matches against stronger opposition. Gilani emphasized that the tournament provides valuable international experience for the men's team during a 16-day international window. The event also reaffirms the PFF's commitment to securing competitive matches for its national teams at every opportunity. "It is time to dream big. We are not content with playing in development competitions," Gilani said. "Pakistan is ready to mix it with the big boys. Pakistan football has well and truly arrived at the global stage." What's Next The tournament will be held during the extended international window in September and October, though specific match dates and the full schedule have not yet been announced. Pakistan will learn its group opponents and matchups once the draw is conducted based on international rankings. The PFF will likely announce further details, including squad selection and preparation plans, in the coming weeks.