KATHMANDU, Aug 17: The National Sports Council (NSC) has intensified its efforts to lift FIFA’s suspension of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), as the ban continues to cast uncertainty over Nepal’s participation in international football.
Nepali football has been pushed into uncertainty following FIFA’s suspension of ANFA. Nepal has been unable to participate in international competitions, while the future of players, coaches, referees and other football professionals has also been affected. Government agencies responsible for sports regulation have continued efforts to resolve the situation.
NSC Member Secretary Ram Charitra Mehta said the government is taking the suspension seriously and maintaining continuous discussions and coordination with FIFA. He expressed hope that a positive outcome would be reached soon.
“The government is extremely serious about ANFA’s suspension. The issue has been given high priority, and necessary discussions and coordination are underway with the concerned parties. We are also in continuous communication with FIFA, so there is no need to be disappointed,” Mehta said. He urged players and football fans to remain patient, saying a positive message would come soon in the interest of Nepali football.
The suspension has effectively brought Nepal’s participation in international and national football competitions to a near standstill. Players who depend on football as their primary source of livelihood, along with other professionals working in the sector, have been particularly affected.
As long as the suspension remains in place, ANFA members and officials cannot benefit from development programmes, training or other activities organised by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
SAFF Championship participation uncertain
FIFA suspension pushes Nepali football into crisis
Nepal’s participation in the upcoming SAFF Championship in Bangladesh has also been thrown into doubt. The men’s tournament is scheduled to take place from November 4 to 17, but SAFF has not included Nepal in the current draw because of the FIFA suspension.
SAFF has, however, kept the door open for Nepal to participate if the suspension is lifted before the tournament begins. Nepal would then be placed in Group A alongside hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. Group B currently consists of India, the Maldives and Pakistan.
If government efforts result in FIFA lifting the suspension, Nepal would regain the opportunity to participate not only in the SAFF Championship but also in other international competitions.
Former national player and ANFA technical director Hari Khadka said the government must follow FIFA’s guidelines to resolve the dispute.
“The government must follow FIFA’s guidelines for a solution to this problem. Otherwise, it will be difficult to find a way out,” Khadka said. He stressed the need for intensive dialogue, cooperation and coordination among all stakeholders to protect Nepali football and ensure continuity of football activities.
Khadka also urged the government to bring players, coaches, referees, technical personnel and other stakeholders to a common platform for discussions, saying they are bearing the direct impact of the dispute.
ANFA’s suspended executive committee spokesperson Suresh Sah, however, accused the government of failing to take the suspension seriously.
“The government is ignoring this issue. At present, ANFA has no option but to wait and watch. We are waiting for the government’s clear position and its next step,” Sah said.
Why did FIFA suspend ANFA?
FIFA’s Council Bureau suspended ANFA in June under Article 14 of the FIFA Statutes until further notice. FIFA cited concerns over ANFA’s election process, decisions by the National Sports Council and alleged government interference.
Under FIFA’s rules, national football associations must operate independently and without interference from governments or other external bodies.
The dispute intensified after the executive committee led by Pankaj Bikram Nembang, elected in June 2022, announced an early election schedule. The suspended committee announced a date for the central election without completing district and provincial elections.
Initially, FIFA and the AFC did not raise objections, allowing ANFA to proceed with the election process. However, the NSC, the government’s regulatory body for sports, ordered ANFA to halt the process, arguing that it violated the association’s statutes.
Some ANFA executive committee members also sought legal intervention against the election process. The Patan High Court subsequently issued an interim order halting election-related activities.
The NSC directed ANFA to amend its statutes in accordance with the National Sports Development Act. After ANFA allegedly failed to comply, the NSC suspended the association for three months on March 25.
Following several rounds of discussions, the NSC lifted the suspension on May 15. Nepal’s women’s national team subsequently participated in the 2026 Women’s SAFF Championship, held in India from May 25 to June 6.
However, FIFA ultimately imposed its own suspension, concluding that the overall process involved government interference in ANFA’s affairs.
The immediate focus is now on whether the government and FIFA can reach an agreement in time to restore Nepal’s international football activities and secure the national team’s participation in the upcoming SAFF Championship.
