FIFA Suspends Nepal Over Third-Party Interference

Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has suspended Nepal’s football association with immediate effect, citing what it described as third-party interference in the administration of the sport, a move that bars the country from all international football competitions.

The suspension affects the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), which oversees football activities in Nepal. FIFA said the action followed a dispute between ANFA and Nepal’s National Sports Council over the management and electoral process of the federation.

In a letter issued by FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, the world football governing body said ANFA had committed serious breaches of FIFA statutes due to outside interference in its affairs.

FIFA maintains that national football associations must operate independently of government influence.

The dispute dates back to March 2026, when Nepal’s National Sports Council suspended ANFA for three months while the federation was preparing for elections that had been agreed upon with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation. Although the suspension was later lifted in May, disagreements over the electoral process and proposed amendments to ANFA’s statutes persisted.

ANFA CEO Indraman Tuladhar, General Secretary Kiran Rai and President Pankaj Bikram Nembang during the executive committee meeting in December last year. Credit: Kathmandu.

ANFA spokesperson Suresh Shah described the suspension as a serious concern and said the federation was consulting stakeholders to secure its removal while prioritising the future of football in Nepal.

“The suspension is an issue of grave concern, we are consulting with all stakeholders to lift the suspension keeping Nepal’s football in priority,” ANFA spokesman Suresh Shah told AFP.

He warned that the ban would affect players by denying them international opportunities and would also disrupt the development of aspiring footballers.

“It impacts our players, barring them from opportunities and dampens dreams of aspiring players,” Shah added.

The suspension also prevents Nepal from participating in FIFA competitions and accessing FIFA-funded development programmes, training courses and other support initiatives.

FIFA said the suspension could be lifted if the National Sports Council withdraws its earlier directives and allows ANFA to complete its electoral process without interference.

Meanwhile, Ram Charitra Mehta, a member secretary of the National Sports Council, said the government had not wanted the suspension and was exploring possible solutions to resolve the situation.