What If Pakistan Hosted the AFC Asian Cup in the 1980s?

When people talk about football in Asia, Pakistan rarely comes up in conversation. Cricket has long overshadowed the sport in the country, and a lack of consistent investment has kept Pakistani football on the sidelines. But what if we turned the clock back and imagined a bold alternate history

What if Pakistan had hosted the AFC Asian Cup in the 1980s?

This single event could have drastically altered the landscape of sports, culture, and national identity in the country.

A Turning Point in Sports Diplomacy 

The 1980s were a time of political complexity and regional tension in South Asia. Hosting the AFC Asian Cup, the continent's most prestigious football tournament, would have been a powerful move for Pakistan’s soft power and international image.

With matches taking place in cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad, the tournament would have put Pakistan on the map as a sporting hub. Countries such as Iran, South Korea, Japan, and Saudi Arabia would have sent their national teams and thousands of fans, making the tournament not just a sporting event but a moment of cultural exchange.

Diplomatically, this could have strengthened ties with neighboring Asian countries and brought some relief to Pakistan’s then-prevalent image as a politically volatile state. The media coverage alone could have shifted global attention away from conflict and toward culture, hospitality, and the country’s potential.

Infrastructure That Lasts Generations 

In order to host the AFC Asian Cup, Pakistan would have needed to rapidly develop world-class football stadiums, training facilities, and transport networks. Imagine the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore being reimagined for football, or a massive stadium built in Karachi designed with both function and fanfare in mind.

This infrastructure wouldn’t have just been for show. Long after the tournament ended, these venues could have become the backbone of a national football league, youth academies, and regional tournaments. With regular access to high-quality facilities, generations of young Pakistani footballers might have had the tools they needed to compete at an international level.

A Football Culture Rooted in Passion 

Football has always had deep roots in certain areas of Pakistan, particularly in regions like Lyari in Karachi, where street football has long been a lifeline for youth. Hosting the AFC Asian Cup could have sparked a nationwide football fever, expanding the sport’s popularity beyond local communities to the national stage.

Street football would likely have been recognized and invested in earlier, with talent scouts, clubs, and sponsors tapping into raw potential. Departmental teams—like WAPDA, KRL, and PIA—might have evolved into powerful professional clubs with fanbases, merchandise, and youth development pipelines.

Local heroes would have emerged, not just from cricket stadiums but from football pitches. Names like Zeeshan from Quetta or Imran from Lyari might have filled the headlines as future stars and role models.

Economic and Social Impact 

An event like the AFC Asian Cup brings more than just tourists—it boosts hospitality, retail, transport, and media industries. Hotels would have thrived, street vendors would have found new customers, and local artisans might have sold souvenirs and memorabilia to visiting fans.

More importantly, the tournament could have been a unifying moment for a divided country. In a nation often fractured along ethnic, linguistic, and political lines, cheering for one national team might have inspired a rare sense of unity. Football chants in Urdu, Pashto, Punjabi, Balochi, and Sindhi would echo through stadiums, all rooting for one flag.

If Pakistan had hosted the AFC Asian Cup in the 1980s and built upon its momentum, it’s not far-fetched to imagine the national team qualifying for major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup qualifiers or the Asian Games more consistently.

By the 1990s, players could have gone on to play in Gulf, Turkish, or even European leagues, and Pakistani coaches might have trained abroad. Football wouldn't be an afterthought—it would be a second religion, right next to cricket.

The Road Not Taken 

Of course, all of this is fictional. In reality, football in Pakistan still struggles with administrative hurdles, lack of funding, and minimal media coverage. But alternate histories like this help us imagine what could still be possible.

Hosting a major tournament might seem like a dream, but dreams shape decisions. And maybe, just maybe, the next time Pakistan bids to host a regional event, someone will remember that football was once nearly forgotten—and decide not to let that happen again.