Nolberto Solano on Pakistan’s Next Steps: Indonesia, Asian Ambitions and the Diaspora Challenge

Nolberto Solano has spoken about Pakistan’s progress, upcoming matches and the long-term project he is building with the national team. Speaking to RadioOvicon, Solano discussed Pakistan's next tournament, his contract renewal, the challenge of recruiting overseas players and why the team must take its progress step by step.

FIFA ASEAN CUP 2026

Solano confirmed that Pakistan are preparing for a tournament in Indonesia after the FIFA window, featuring teams such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Afghanistan and Bhutan—exactly the level of opposition he believes Pakistan should be targeting.

"That is the level of national teams that we aspire to compete with — Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand. The target is to get ourselves to that level."

Solano also confirmed that he has renewed his contract and remains committed to the long-term project, with Asian Cup qualification among Pakistan's next major objectives.

"Thank God, it is going well. We spoke about this project and this plan, and we are on that path. I have renewed because the idea is to continue. Next year, the plan is to play the Asian qualifiers — first you have to qualify for the Asian Cup, and then continue towards the dream of reaching the World Cup."

The Difficult Task of Convincing Dual Nationals

Reaching that next level, however, also depends heavily on Pakistan's ability to strengthen its player pool — and this is where Solano faces one of his biggest challenges.

He revealed that he has identified players competing at different levels across Europe, including two playing at a high level in Sweden and Denmark.

"Little by little we have been building a team. I have two players at a high level who play — one who has become champion in the Swedish league and another boy who is playing in Denmark, which is first professional."

Solano also revealed that he has found several young players in England, including players at Sheffield United and another playing in England's second tier.

"Then the rest are from here in England in the fifth division, sixth division. I have found two, three more players with one playing at Sheffield United, they are very young, and another boy who is also in the second league (Championship)."

However, identifying eligible players is only half the battle.

Many young dual-national players want to wait and see how their club careers develop before making a decision about international football.

"They are young boys who want to wait a bit for the possibility of how their career goes, because being born in England they have the option of being able to play for Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England."

That, according to Solano, makes convincing young players to commit to Pakistan particularly difficult.

"That is what's difficult for us at the moment, convincing those somewhat young boys."

The importance of recruiting overseas players is also linked to Pakistan's footballing history and the challenges the country has faced over the years.

Solano explained that Pakistan has not had the same opportunity as more established football nations to consistently develop professional football.

"Pakistan has not had this opportunity to have professional football, they have been punished for many years. It is understandable that they have to resort to diaspora players."

He also reflected on the damage caused by administrative and political issues in Pakistani football.

"Politics cannot get involved. Here, the government got involved a bit, there were some misunderstandings that were not very clear, and it cost them many years."

Winning to Convince More Players

For Solano, the work remains difficult, but the direction is clear: build the team gradually, improve results and create a Pakistan national side that players — both at home and abroad — want to represent.

Pakistan's next tournament in Indonesia could be another important step in that journey.