Nepal barred from AFC competitions until ANFA suspension is lifted

Kathmandu – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has stated that Nepal will not be allowed to participate in international competitions until the suspension on the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) is lifted.

The AFC, in a letter to the suspended ANFA, indicated that the association must be removed from the ban to participate in the competitions scheduled until 2027. It has been made clear that if ANFA fails to lift the suspension within the specified time, Nepal will not be able to participate in those games.

The AFC has clarified through a letter that if the suspension is not lifted in time, Nepal’s national teams and clubs will not be able to participate in upcoming international competitions of the AFC.

AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John informed ANFA General Secretary Kiran Rai through the letter that FIFA has kept ANFA under suspension since June 24, 2026, until further notice, making Nepal’s national and club teams ineligible for international competitions.

According to the letter, ANFA had already made entries for various AFC competitions for the 2026/27 season. However, as per the decision of the FIFA Council, ANFA has lost all rights as a FIFA member, and under Article 13 of the FIFA Statutes, its national and club teams cannot participate in any international competitions while the suspension is in place.

The AFC has also warned that if the suspension is not lifted within the specified time, Nepal’s teams will be removed from the related competitions. According to the letter, the final deadline to remove Nepal from the AFC Women’s Champions League 2026/27 was set for June 29, 2026, which was three days before the preliminary stage draw. This date has already passed.

Similarly, the final deadline for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027 qualifiers is set for July 13, 2026, which is three days before the preliminary stage draw. Likewise, to maintain Nepal’s participation in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup China 2027 qualifiers, the suspension by FIFA must be lifted by August 1, 2026. This final deadline is set 30 days before the start of the qualification phase.

According to FIFA’s circular number 1967 issued on June 24, the suspension on ANFA will remain until further notice. If the suspension is lifted, Nepal’s national teams and clubs will be able to participate in international competitions again. However, if the suspension is not lifted within the specified deadlines, Nepal will formally exit the related AFC competitions.