KARACHI
\nPakistan football received a significant boost after FIFA approved the change of sporting nationality for midfielder Etzaz Hussain, clearing the Norway-born player to represent the national team.
\nThe 32-year-old, who previously played alongside striker Erling Haaland at Molde FK, completed the formal switch following FIFA\u2019s confirmation earlier this week.
\nHussain had secured a Pakistani passport in early 2024 and had already voiced his ambition to wear the green jersey.
\nOne of the most decorated players in Norwegian football, Hussain has won four Eliteserien league titles and three Norwegian Cups with Molde, sharing the distinction of being the club\u2019s joint-most successful player with seven trophies.
\nOver his career, he has made nearly 300 professional appearances, including stints in Turkey with Sivasspor, in Croatia with NK Rude\u0161, in Cyprus with Apollon Limassol, and most recently with Norwegian second-tier club Odd.
\nBorn in Oslo in 1993 to parents from Kharian, Gujrat, Hussain began his football journey at Langhus before joining Manchester United\u2019s youth academy in 2009.
\nAlthough he did not break into the first team at Old Trafford, he described his time at United as \u201can experience for life.\u201d He made his professional debut with Fredrikstad in 2011, scoring a decisive goal in the Norwegian Cup the same year.
\nAt Molde, Hussain reunited with Ole Gunnar Solskj\u00e6r and became a key figure in the club\u2019s domestic success, scoring in both league and European competitions.
\nHe also represented Norway at youth levels from U16 to U23 but remained eligible to play for Pakistan, having never played for Norway at senior competitive level.
\nWith his eligibility now confirmed, Hussain is expected to bring experience and stability to Pakistan\u2019s midfield, strengthening the squad ahead of upcoming international fixtures.
\n\u201cThis is a very important development for Pakistan football,\u201d said a Pakistan Football official. \u201cHaving a player of Etzaz Hussain\u2019s caliber and experience will inspire the team and fans alike.\u201d
\nHussain has previously expressed pride in his Pakistani roots and was honored by the Pakistan embassy in Oslo during Independence Day celebrations in 2021.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
KARACHI Pakistan football received a significant boost after FIFA approved the change of sporting nationality for midfielder Etzaz Hussain, clearing the Norway-born player to represent the national team. The 32-year-old, who previously played alongside striker Erling Haaland at Molde FK, completed the formal switch following FIFA\u2019s confirmation earlier this week. Hussain had secured a Pakistani […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-502374","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n