FIFA Suspends Nepal From International Football

FIFA Suspends Nepal From International Football
Nepal is barred from all international football competitions immediately.
FIFA demands independent elections before lifting the suspension.

FIFA has suspended the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), effectively barring the country’s national teams and clubs from participating in all international football competitions.

The suspension takes immediate effect and was confirmed in a letter sent to ANFA by FIFA Secretary General, Mattias Grafstrom.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Nepal is currently ranked 175th in the FIFA men’s world rankings, while its women’s national team occupies the 88th position globally.

According to FIFA, the decision was taken following what it described as “undue interference by a third party” in the affairs of the country’s football governing body.

The issue stems from an ongoing governance dispute between ANFA and Nepal’s National Sports Council, the government agency responsible for sports administration in the country.

FIFA statutes require member associations to operate independently without interference from government authorities or external bodies.

Announcing the decision, Grafstrom stated that FIFA had decided on Wednesday “to suspend ANFA with immediate effect due to flagrant violations of the FIFA Statutes.”

The dispute began in March 2026 when Nepal’s National Sports Council suspended ANFA for three months while the football body was preparing for an election process agreed upon by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Although the suspension was lifted in May, tensions persisted as ANFA’s elective congress faced repeated delays. The National Sports Council also issued directives, including a request for amendments to ANFA’s statutes to align with Nepal’s sports development law.

Reacting to the development, ANFA spokesperson Suresh Shah described the suspension as a serious setback for football in the country.

“The suspension is an issue of grave concern, we are consulting with all stakeholders to lift the suspension keeping Nepal’s football in priority,” Shah said.

He warned that the ban would have significant consequences for players and the future growth of football in Nepal.

“It impacts our players, barring them from opportunities and dampens dreams of aspiring players,” he added.

FIFA stated that the suspension would only be lifted if the National Sports Council withdraws its March decisions and allows ANFA to complete its electoral process without interference.

Meanwhile, Member Secretary of the National Sports Council, Ram Charitra Mehta, said the government had not intended for the dispute to escalate to this point.

“The government never wanted this… we are looking for alternative ways to address this crisis,” Mehta said.

FIFA Suspends Nepal From International Football

The suspension means Nepal will remain excluded from all FIFA-sanctioned international competitions until the conditions set by the world football governing body are met.