FIFA has suspended Nepal's football association, the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), barring the country from all international competitions, officials confirmed on Thursday. The decision follows what FIFA describes as "undue interference by a third party" in the governance of Nepali football.
Background of the Suspension
Nepal's men's national team is currently ranked 175th in the FIFA World Rankings, while the women's team sits at 88th. In a letter to ANFA, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom stated that the suspension was imposed on Wednesday due to "flagrant violations of the FIFA Statutes." The letter, shared by ANFA on Facebook, cited arguments between ANFA and Nepal's National Sports Council, the country's sports administration authority, over governance issues.
FIFA maintains that national football associations must operate independently of government bodies. The National Sports Council had suspended ANFA in March 2026 for three months, just as the association was preparing for an election process that FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation had approved. The suspension was lifted in May, but the elective congress has been repeatedly delayed, with the sports council issuing directives including amendments to ANFA's statutes under Nepal's sports development act.
Impact on Nepali Football
The suspension means Nepal can no longer participate in international competitions, and the association will lose access to FIFA development programmes, courses, and trainings. ANFA spokesman Suresh Shah expressed grave concern: "The suspension is an issue of grave concern, we are consulting with all stakeholders to lift the suspension keeping Nepal's football in priority." He added, "It impacts our players, barring them from opportunities and dampens dreams of aspiring players."
Path to Lifting the Suspension
FIFA stated that the suspension will be lifted if the National Sports Council revokes its March decisions and allows ANFA to finalise its electoral process. Ram Charitra Mehta, a member secretary of the National Sports Council, commented, "The government never wanted this... we are looking for alternative ways to address this crisis."
