Overview

• Solano will lead both senior and U23 national teams in their AFC Under-23 Championship qualifiers in September against Cambodia, Iraq and Oman and in 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers in October against Afghanistan.
• His appointment is the first major coaching signing under PFF president Mohsen Gilani’s reform agenda following a 2021–22 FIFA suspension and years of political interference.
• Pakistan, ranked 201st in the FIFA men’s standings, has never qualified for a major tournament and is counting on Solano’s pedigree to break its cycle of qualification failures.
• Solano brings experience as Peru’s assistant coach during their 2018 World Cup campaign and as a Premier League midfielder with Newcastle United, Aston Villa and West Ham United.
• The federation has recruited UK-based heritage players and instituted governance reforms aimed at strengthening the talent pool and lifting international performances.