Pakistan womens football national team has made a big comeback after years of inactivity because of problems within the team and bans. What is making this comeback happen faster? One important factor in rebuilding the team and raising standards is the addition of players born in Britain.
Important Diaspora Talent Making a Difference
Layla Banaras and Mariam Mahmood are two names that stand out. They were born and raised in the UK, but they agreed to play for Pakistan during the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualification cycle.
- At just 19, Layla Banaras joined the national team and right away helped out by getting assists and playing well in the middle.
- Mariam Mahmood, a forward, has already made a name for herself by scoring for Pakistan soon after her first game.
Their time in UK youth and semi-professional leagues helps the national team get better at tactics, fitness, and being around competitive football cultures.
These players are more than just good at what they do. Their presence leads to better training standards, more media coverage, and a belief among young Pakistani girls that there are ways to get ahead in the world. There are still problems, though, like getting used to different training styles, language and culture, and the lack of infrastructure in Pakistan womens football ecosystem.
Layla says the PFF will need to do a lot of work to raise awareness and get young girls into football.
“It needs to be in schools, it needs to be in the local communities and there needs to be access to it,” she says.
She also wants to see more girls from a South Asian Muslim background coming through “into the academies, into the systems and into Pakistan Womens football team”.
What This Means for the Future of Pakistan Womens Football
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has said that it wants to create leagues for men and women in Pakistan. Bringing in players from other countries is seen as a way to help with that.
If this momentum keeps going, it could be the start of a new era for women’s football in Pakistan, with stronger teams, more exposure, and real chances for girls all over the country.