Pakistan’s fake football team reaches Japan for tournament, deported from airport

The 22-member team was originally a gang from a human trafficking ring. The FIA has launched an investigation into the matter and arrested the prime suspect Waqas Ali, reported news agency PTI.

“The 22-member fake football team, which managed to get a 15-day visa, reached Japan in June 2025. However, it was deported by the Japanese immigration authorities from the airport, and the matter was then reported to the FIA,” the report quoted FIA as saying.

Pakistan football has suffered badly from political parties fighting over control of the federation. FIFA in 2021 banned Pakistan from playing international matches for 15 months, also for political interference in the federation. The gang appeared to be using this as an advantage for sending members of its human trafficking ring to Japan.