Pakistan Aims to Create 400,000 Jobs for FIFA World Cup 2034
Pakistan has set an ambitious target to train and deploy between 300,000 and 400,000 workers for projects related to the FIFA World Cup 2034. This initiative is part of the country’s larger strategy to expand overseas employment opportunities and position itself more prominently in the international labor markets.
Official documents reveal that workforce planning is being aligned with the anticipated demand generated by the FIFA World Cup, scheduled for 2034. The trained workers are expected to contribute primarily to infrastructure development, aviation, tourism, and allied service sectors from 2026 to 2034.
The government’s efforts to boost manpower exports include increasing the skill level of Pakistani workers destined for overseas jobs. From July to March of fiscal year 2025-26, over 215,000 workers received soft-skills training aimed at enhancing their adaptability and productivity for the global job market.
Overseas employment remains a key focus of Pakistan’s labor market strategy. In 2025 alone, the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment registered 762,499 workers for jobs abroad. Since 1972, more than 15 million Pakistanis have gone overseas for employment through official channels, primarily to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Remittances from these workers continue to be one of Pakistan’s largest sources of foreign exchange, alongside exports. Saudi Arabia led as the top destination in 2025, hosting over 530,000 Pakistani workers, which constitutes nearly 70% of the total overseas employment registrations for that year. The demand for skilled manpower in Saudi Arabia is growing in line with its Vision 2030, which fosters opportunities in infrastructure, construction, and services.
In addition to the Gulf region, Pakistan is expanding labor mobility partnerships with European countries. The Pakistan-EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue is facilitating cooperation on legal migration and workforce collaboration. Italy announced a quota of 10,500 seasonal and non-seasonal job positions for Pakistani workers over three years, while Germany and Greece are also progressing with formal labor cooperation agreements focusing on skilled workers.
To improve the overseas employment process, the government is introducing digital reforms. The Pakistan Emigrant Management Framework aims to connect 14 stakeholders and streamline procedures through online verification systems. The recently launched Digital HR Pool system incorporates biometric verification, job matching, and transparent recruitment mechanisms to ensure efficient and fair overseas employment services.
These ongoing investments in skill development, digital facilitation, and labor market reforms are designed to enable Pakistan to capitalize on emerging global employment opportunities. The overarching goal is to create higher-skilled and higher-value job pathways for the Pakistani workforce while supporting the country’s foreign exchange earnings and economic stability.