Pakistani entrepreneur Khawaja Masood Akhtar has turned a modest beginning in a small room in Sialkot into a global manufacturing success story that now reaches the biggest stage in international football.

His company, Forward Sports, established in 1991 with just 20 employees, has grown into one of the world’s leading producers of footballs, manufacturing millions of units annually for international competitions and global brands.

The company’s journey has reached a historic peak with reports that every match in the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be played using footballs made in Pakistan. If fully realized, this milestone places Pakistan at the center of the world’s most-watched sporting event, reinforcing Sialkot’s long-standing reputation as a global hub for sports goods manufacturing.

Beyond commercial success, the achievement reflects decades of industrial growth, export capability, and technical innovation emerging from Pakistan’s sports manufacturing sector. Forward Sports’ rise from a small local operation to a key supplier on football’s biggest stage highlights how consistent quality, investment in production standards, and global partnerships can transform a regional business into a world player.

The development is being seen as a symbolic moment for Pakistan’s export industry, showcasing its ability to compete at the highest international level and contribute directly to global sporting history.