Accrington Stanley Women attacking midfielder Sanah Mehdi has received a prestigious international call-up, marking a proud moment for both player and club ahead of the inaugural FIFA Women’s Series this April.
Sanah has been named in the provisional Pakistan squad for the groundbreaking tournament, which will take place from 9th to 18th April.
Notably, she is the only player selected for the series currently competing at the grassroots level, and the call-up is her first whilst playing for Stanley Women at Tier 6, an achievement that highlights both her individual talent and determination.
Now in her second spell with Stanley Women after rejoining the club last summer, Sanah has already made several appearances for Pakistan following her debut in 2024 against India in the South Asian Football Federation Championships.
Sanah was born and raised in Burnley, but qualifies to play for Pakistan through her family heritage.
The FIFA Women’s Series will debut across three host nations, Brazil, the Ivory Coast and Thailand, with Pakistan set to compete in the Ivory Coast. The initiative follows the successful launch of the men’s series in 2024 and aims to provide greater international playing opportunities for emerging national teams.
Pakistan will face hosts Ivory Coast, Mauritania and the Turks and Caicos Islands in a series of three friendly fixtures. FIFA is supporting the competition by contributing to travel, accommodation and logistics, ensuring teams can gain valuable international experience.
Talking about her call-up, Sanah said: “It is always an honour to play for your country, and I am thrilled to be given this opportunity for myself and also for the next generation of girls who aspire to play at this level.”
Sami Smithson, Chair of Accrington Stanley Women, said: “We are hugely proud of Sanah’s selection. To have someone playing internationally from the club is a massive credit to the hard work Sanah, the coaching team, and her teammates put in week in and week out.
“Sanah is a great role model for our girls and women. She is a crucial member of the first team and always has an influence on the pitch. I am delighted that she is part of our Stanley family.”
Sanah’s call-up represents a landmark moment for Accrington Stanley Women and serves as an inspiration across the grassroots game, demonstrating that dedication and performance can open doors onto the international stage.
To keep up to date with Accrington Stanley Women, visit: www.facebook.com/AccringtonStanleyWomen, x.com/ASWFCofficial and www.instagram.com/accrington_stanley_womenfc
