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LAHORE: The Pakistan football team will commence a preparatory camp in Abbottabad on August 16, ahead of the upcoming AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers.
Head coach Nolberto Solano is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on August 15 and will oversee the camp, which is set to run for two weeks under his supervision.
A total of 50 players, initially selected through tryouts, will participate in the training camp. The final 23-member squad will be announced at a later stage.
As part of the qualifiers, Pakistan will play their first match against Iraq on September 3, followed by a game against host nation Cambodia on September 6.
The team will conclude the group stage with a match against Oman on September 9.
Last month, Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) appointed Nolberto Solano as head coach of Pakistan’s football team.
The decision was taken following a vote by the PFF Executive Committee in which seven of the thirteen members voted in favour of the appointment.
Solano replaced Stephen Constantine, who famously led the Pakistan team to their first-ever victory in a World Cup qualifier in October 2023.
Notably, Nolberto Solano was a popular figure during his playing days for English football club Newcastle United, scoring 38 goals in 233 appearances.
Following his retirement from a professional career, Solano has gained extensive experience. He has managed three clubs in his native Peru, while also playing a pivotal role in guiding the Peru national team to their first World Cup appearance in 34 years in 2018.
Additionally, Pakistan’s newly appointed football coach also played a crucial role in Peru’s fourth-place finish in the 2021 Copa America.
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