Q&A: Until football matters to the state, World Cup stays a dream

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup expands its reach, football fever grips the globe, yet in Nepal, fans' dreams of seeing their national flag on the world stage are contrasted by a stark reality: a severely fractured domestic football landscape. The country's premier A-Division League has been on hiatus for four years, creating an existential crisis for the sport and pushing young talent to seek opportunities abroad.

Anil Gurung, a former national team captain once synonymous with Nepali football's frontline, has shifted his focus from playing to nurturing the sport's roots. Since retiring from international football in 2017 and club play in 2021 due to the lack of a consistent league platform, Gurung now runs the AG10 Football Academy. Through the academy, he provides young players with crucial international exposure, including participation in tournaments like Denmark's Dana Cup.

Gurung remains optimistic about Nepal's football future, particularly highlighting the potential of the women's national team. He stresses that for Nepal to achieve global football glory, the sport needs greater support from the state. His efforts through the academy represent a grassroots revolution aimed at rebuilding the foundation of Nepali football amidst structural stagnation and the rise of franchise leagues like the Nepal Super League (NSL).

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Since there aren’t many club-level games happening right now, the academy has become my primary focus and where I spend most of my time.