World football’s governing body FIFA has suspended Nepal’s football association, barring the country from all international competitions.
Nepal, ranked 175th in FIFA’s men’s standings and 88th in the women’s rankings, was penalized after what FIFA described as “undue interference by a third party.”
The dispute stems from clashes between the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) and the National Sports Council, Nepal’s government sports authority, over control of football governance.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom confirmed the suspension in a letter, citing “flagrant violations of the FIFA Statutes.”
The decision follows the council’s earlier suspension of ANFA in March 2026, just as the association was preparing for elections approved by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation.
Although the council lifted its suspension in May, repeated delays in holding the elective congress and directives to amend ANFA’s statutes triggered FIFA’s intervention.
ANFA spokesman Suresh Shah called the move “an issue of grave concern,” warning that Nepal’s players will lose access to international competitions and FIFA development programs.
“It impacts our players, barring them from opportunities and dampens dreams of aspiring players,” he said.
FIFA has stated the suspension will be lifted once the council withdraws its decisions and allows ANFA to complete its electoral process.
Ram Charitra Mehta, a member secretary of the National Sports Council, said the government is seeking “alternative ways to address this crisis.”
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