World football governing body, FIFA, has suspended the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), barring the country from all international competitions.
The suspension, which takes immediate effect, was confirmed in a letter sent to ANFA by FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom.
Newspotng reports that Nepal is currently ranked 175th in FIFA’s men’s world ranking, while the women’s national team is ranked 88th.
FIFA said the decision followed “undue interference by a third party,” referring to a governance dispute between ANFA and Nepal’s National Sports Council.
The council is the country’s sports administration authority.
FIFA rules require national football associations to operate independently of government bodies.
FIFA decided on Wednesday “to suspend ANFA with immediate effect due to flagrant violations of the FIFA Statutes,” Grafstrom said in the letter shared by ANFA on Facebook.
The National Sports Council had suspended ANFA in March 2026 for three months while the association was preparing for an election process agreed to by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation.
The suspension was later lifted in May.
However, ANFA’s elective congress has been repeatedly delayed, with the council issuing directives, including a demand for amendments to ANFA’s statutes under Nepal’s sports development law.
ANFA spokesman, Suresh Shah, described the suspension as a major concern.
“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 told newsmen.
He said the ban would affect players and future football development in the country.
“It impacts our players, barring them from opportunities and dampens dreams of aspiring players,” Shah added.
FIFA said the suspension would be lifted if the National Sports Council revokes its March decisions and allows ANFA to complete its electoral process.
Reacting, a member secretary of the National Sports Council, Ram Charitra Mehta, said the government did not intend for the crisis to reach this level.
“The government never wanted this… we are looking for alternative ways to address this crisis,” he said.
