The National Challenge Cup 2026 kicked off in Karachi with significant anticipation, marking a pivotal moment for domestic football in Pakistan. According to The Nation Sports, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Pakistan Navy, with Arsalan scoring a decisive goal in stoppage time. This match was one of four played on the opening day across two venues, the KMC and KPT Stadiums, as reported by Daily The Patriot. The tournament features 12 teams competing, highlighting a renewed focus on domestic football development. The event's commencement has been met with mixed sentiments; footballer.pk highlighted the long-awaited return of domestic football, yet expressed a negative sentiment regarding the broader challenges facing the sport in Pakistan.