FIFA Suspends Nepal Football Association
FIFA has suspended the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) with immediate effect, barring the country from all international competitions.
The decision followed what FIFA described as “undue interference by a third party,” referring to a governance dispute between ANFA and Nepal’s National Sports Council.
FIFA’s statutes require national football associations to operate independently of government bodies, and the world body said ANFA had committed flagrant violations of those rules.
The National Sports Council had initially suspended ANFA in March 2026 for three months while the association prepared for an election process agreed upon with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation.
Although that suspension was lifted in May, ANFA’s elective congress has been repeatedly delayed, with the council issuing directives, including demands for statutory amendments under Nepal’s sports development law.
ANFA spokesman Suresh Shah called the suspension a grave concern, saying it impacts players and dampens the dreams of aspiring footballers.
FIFA stated the ban will be lifted if the National Sports Council revokes its March decision and allows ANFA to complete its electoral process.
A member secretary of the National Sports Council, Ram Charitra Mehta, said the government never wanted the crisis to escalate and is seeking alternative ways to resolve it.
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