Pakistan to compete at 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan

Pakistan will participate in the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi‑Nagoya, Japan, which run from September 19 to October 4. Pakistan will be one of the nations taking part in the continental tournament.

The Aichi‑Nagoya Games are scheduled to feature almost 11,000 athletes from 46 nations competing in 71 disciplines across 43 sports. Hosts Japan, China and South Korea are identified among the leading teams at the event, and India — one of six countries to appear at every Asian Games edition — will aim to replicate its Hangzhou 2022 performance.

The Pakistan Olympic Association has named a 168‑member contingent for the tournament. The delegation comprises 123 men and 45 women. Pakistani athletes are entered across 23 disciplines, with Pakistani women competing in 14 of those sports.

Pakistan’s campaign will place emphasis on cricket as both the men’s and women’s teams will compete at Aichi‑Nagoya. Sahibzada Farhan has been named captain of the men’s cricket team. Fatima Sana will captain the women’s cricket side.

A seven‑member athletics squad has been selected, led by Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem. Muhammad Yasir, an Asian Athletics Championships bronze medallist, is included in the group. Paris 2024 Olympic sprinter Faiqa Raz will compete in the women’s 100m.

The Pakistan men’s hockey team has secured qualification for the Asian Games and will take part in the tournament. The side will aim for a podium finish at Aichi‑Nagoya.

Fatima Zahra, Pakistan’s only medallist at the Commonwealth Games 2026, will compete in the women’s 60kg boxing event. Mahoor Shahzad, the first Pakistani badminton player to compete in the Olympics, is entered in women’s singles and mixed doubles.

Noor Zaman, a silver medallist at Hangzhou 2022, will lead an eight‑member squash team. Kishmala Talat, who won a bronze at the previous Asian Games, is part of Pakistan’s shooting contingent alongside three‑time Olympian Ghulam Mustafa Bashir.