Nepal football teams may still compete in AFC tournaments if FIFA ban lifted

Nepal's national and club football teams face a race against time to qualify for upcoming Asian Football Confederation (AFC) tournaments. The Asian Football Confederation has informed the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) that participation hinges on FIFA lifting its suspension before crucial deadlines.

While Nepal has already lost its chance to compete in the AFC Women's Champions League 2026/27, the national teams still have opportunities for the 2027 AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers and the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers. The AFC's general secretary, Datuk Seri Windsor John, outlined specific dates: the suspension must be lifted by July 13 for the U17 qualifiers and by August 1 for the U20 qualifiers.

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Nepal can participate in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers if FIFA’s suspension is lifted by July 13, which is three days before the Preliminary Stage’s draw on July 16.

ANFA has been under indefinite suspension since June 24 due to continuous third-party interference from state authorities. FIFA's conditions for lifting the ban include the full revocation of the National Sports Council's March 25 decision, which suspended ANFA and mandated changes to its statutes, and the reinstatement of the current ANFA Executive Committee. Additionally, ANFA must finalize its electoral process without delay, in accordance with its statutes and regulations.

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Should the suspension on ANFA not be lifted by the dates indicated…its representative and club teams shall be removed from the relevant competitions.