Afghanistan’s national football team secured the runner-up position in the Maldives Four-Nation Tournament after suffering a 2–0 defeat against Pakistan in the final on Wednesday.
Maldives | By Fatima Mohabi
Afghanistan’s national football team finished as runners-up in the Maldives Four-Nation Tournament after losing 2–0 to Pakistan in the final match held at the National Stadium in Malé, the capital of the Maldives.
Pakistan claimed the tournament title through goals scored by Omar Nawaz and Harun Hamid, securing victory in the championship match.
Afghanistan reached the final after defeating hosts Maldives 1–0 during the group stage and playing to a goalless draw against Bangladesh Under-23. The results were enough to send the Afghan side to the final, where they faced Pakistan for a second time in the competition.
The four-nation tournament was held from June 1 to June 10, 2026, featuring Afghanistan, Pakistan, Maldives, and the Bangladesh Under-23 team. The event was organized as part of the celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the Maldives Football Association.
Despite missing out on the title, Afghanistan’s performance throughout the tournament received positive reactions from supporters. The coaching staff expressed hope that the experience gained from the competition would help strengthen the team ahead of future international fixtures.
The Maldives Four-Nation Tournament served as an important preparatory competition for participating teams ahead of upcoming international engagements. Afghanistan’s runner-up finish highlighted the team’s progress and provided valuable competitive experience against regional opponents.