Nepal Excluded from AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers Due to FIFA Suspension

Due to FIFA’s suspension, Nepal’s U-20 football team has been disqualified from the AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers. As the suspension on the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has not been lifted by August 1, the AFC has removed Nepal’s name from the qualifying schedule. This suspension has also caused Nepal to miss the AFC Women’s Champions League and the U-17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers.

Kathmandu, August 5 – The recent FIFA suspension has had a noticeable impact on Nepali football. This time, the suspension has affected Nepal’s youth football teams. As a result of the FIFA ban, Nepal’s name has been removed from the AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers starting in August. Nepal was placed in Group I under the development phase but will no longer be able to participate in the qualifiers.

The FIFA suspension on the All Nepal Football Association remained unresolved as of August 1, prompting the AFC to exclude Nepal. On June 27, the AFC had officially informed ANFA that Nepal would not be allowed to participate unless the suspension was lifted. Since the suspension remains in effect, Nepal is barred from taking part in the U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Nepal was drawn in Group I alongside Mongolia, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands for the U-20 Asian Cup scheduled to be held in China in March-April 2027. Nepal was slated to play its first match against Guam on August 31. However, according to the updated draw released by the AFC, Nepal’s name has been removed. Additionally, the Philippines, in Group A, has also withdrawn from the competition. In 2024, Nepal competed in Group B of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers, winning one match but losing three. This is the third tournament Nepal has missed due to the FIFA suspension, following the AFC Women’s Champions League and the U-17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers.

Similarly, Nepal’s participation in the SAFF Championship, scheduled to take place in Bangladesh from November 4, is uncertain. Nepal’s name does not currently appear in the SAFF draw. The national team will only be included in Group A if the suspension is lifted by September 1.