ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (Kashmir English): Pakistan took a wonderful start at the Fifa Series campaign with a record-breaking 8-0 victory over the Turks and Caicos Islands at the Stade Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan on Thursday.
Four players registered their names at the scoresheet in the first half that set the tone for Adeel Rizki’s side before two more players scored two goals each as Pakistan surpassed their previous-best victory — 7-0 against the Maldives in September 2022.
Pakistan was aggressive from the very beginning when Mariam Mahmood, fresh from winning the Welsh league title with Wrexham Women, struck the side netting with a shot from an acute angle inside the first four minutes.
After Nadia Khan tested Turks and Caicos goalkeeper Archenie Desir with a shot from long range, Pakistan opened the scoring in the 10th minute with Zahmena Malik finding the back of the net.
Pakistan women continued to press with midfield as Layla Banaras made it 3-0 with a weaving run and smart finish just past the half-hour mark.
Pakistan had pinned their opponents in the opposing half for almost the entirety of the match. Mariam got on the scoresheet in the 38th when she volleyed in a cross at the back post. Pakistan continued in the same vein in the second half, finishing 8-0.
PFF president Mohsen Gilani hailed the historic win. “I congratulate the players and the coaching staff for creating history. This is the start of a new era for women’s football in Pakistan and I hope the team continues in the same vein in the Fifa series.”
FIFA Women’s Series 2026
The FIFA Women’s Series 2026 is the opening women’s edition of FIFA’s international friendly initiative, currently taking place from April 9 to April 18, 2026, featuring 16 women’s national teams competing in four cross-confederation groups hosted in Brazil, Ivory Coast, Kenya, and Thailand.
