Pakistan, June 21 -- Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Friday to discuss football's growing popularity in Pakistan and the potential that the sport has in the country, the minister said in a statement.

Football in Pakistan has long existed in the shadow of cricket. However, the sport has been growing popular over the years, particularly among the youth, who form a passionate fan base in urban centers. Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), met Infantino in Washington on Friday. "Had an excellent meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino," Naqvi said in a post on X following his meeting with him during a trip to the US.

"We discussed the immense potential of sports in P...