• Otis Khan cleared for Pakistan’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.
• Eligibility based on his grandfather’s pre-1951 migration to Pakistan.
• Upcoming matches include Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Jordan.

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) announced on Wednesday that star forward Otis Khan has been granted eligibility to represent the national team in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, marking a significant moment in Pakistan’s football history.

Otis Khan, a vital player for the Pakistan national team, was initially deemed ineligible by FIFA during round one of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Cambodia last month. However, after a thorough review, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have officially approved Otis Khan’s eligibility to play for Pakistan.

In an official press release, the PFF stated, “The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) is pleased to announce that Otis Khan, a pivotal player within our national team, has received official approval from the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for eligibility to represent Pakistan. This exciting development paves the way for Otis Khan to be an integral part of our squad as he gears up to represent Pakistan in the forthcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, Round 2.”

Otis Khan’s eligibility is based on his paternal grandfather, Kanwar Jamil Mohammed Khan, who was born in Delhi but migrated to Pakistan following the partition in 1947 and settled in Manchester. According to the Pakistani government’s regulations, individuals who migrated to Pakistan from the territories in the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent before the commencement of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951, are considered citizens of Pakistan.

Pakistan’s journey in the second round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers will commence with a match against Saudi Arabia in Dammam on November 16. Following this, Pakistan will host Tajikistan in Islamabad on November 21. The upcoming matches include fixtures against Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Tajikistan. The top two teams from the group will secure a place in the third round of the qualifiers.

It’s worth noting that Pakistan made history on October 17 when they defeated Cambodia 1-0 at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad, securing their place in the second round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. Otis Khan’s presence in the team is expected to significantly bolster Pakistan’s chances in the upcoming matches as they aim to continue their impressive run in the qualifiers. The PFF expressed their gratitude to FIFA and AFC for their support in this matter, setting the stage for an exciting journey towards the FIFA World Cup 2026.

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