Pakistan kicked off the first matchday of the women’s FIFA Series 2026™ in style with a comprehensive victory over Turks and Caicos Islands at the Stade Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan. Later in the day, hosts Côte d’Ivoire had an equally convincing triumph over Mauritania.
On Sunday, Mauritania meet Pakistan while Turks and Caicos Islands line up against Côte d’Ivoire.
Pakistan goals: Zahmena Malik (10), Aqsa Mushtaq (12 & 76), Layla Banaras (31 & 79), Mariam Mahmood (38), Nadia Khan (57), Isra Khan (81)
Pakistan celebrated their inaugural appearance in a FIFA competition with a dominant display against Concacaf opponents Turks and Caicos Islands.
After a bright start, Pakistan took control of the game with two goals in as many minutes, first through Zahmena Malik and then Aqsa Mushtaq. The Asian nation extended their lead thanks to a brilliant individual goal from Layla Banaras, before Mariam Mahmood hit the target with a fine volley.
Pakistan continued where they left off after the break, with Nadia Khan netting a well-taken header. As time ran out, Mushtaq and Banaras scored their second goals, before Isra Khan put the icing on the cake.
Côte d’Ivoire goals: Priscille Kreto (6, 13 & 31), Bernadette Amani (23), Habibou Ouedraogo (41 & 43), Essi Dagba (65), Akebie Abrogua (79)
Priscille Kreto scored a hat-trick of headers as Côte d’Ivoire matched Pakistan’s scoreline in front of their jubilant fans. The tall Ivorian forward netted the rare treble in the opening half.
Amid the early goal glut, Bernadette Amani found the target with a brilliant curling effort from just outside the area, while as the first half came to a close, Habibou Ouedraogo scored twice in as many minutes. The second period was a tighter affair, but Essi Dagba and Akebie Abrogua piled on the pain for Mauritania.
