Nepali Football in Crisis: Uncertainty Surrounds Participation in SAFF Championship

April 20, Kathmandu – What is currently happening in Nepali football? What does the future hold? Will FIFA suspend Nepal? Or will RAKEP retract the suspension imposed on ANFA and agree to proceed with fresh elections?

Will the postponed National League resume? And what will be the fate of the Shahid Smarak Women’s League, which was halted after only four games? Will Nepal participate in the upcoming SAFF Women’s Championship?

These are the pressing questions dominating discussions right now.

In truth, Nepali football is currently marked by profound uncertainty and crisis. Various parties bear some responsibility—from ANFA leadership to district club associations and other football stakeholders. Ultimately, it is the players who are caught in the crossfire.

These are the athletes who bear the nation’s flag with pride and continuously prepare themselves to represent Nepal with distinction. They strive to perform excellently and bring honor to the country.

Unfortunately, due to the current leadership and the state of affairs, the players have become helpless. Their role on the field has been reduced to scoring goals and defending, with little else they can do.

Situation Remains Uncertain

Nepali football stands on the edge of great uncertainty and deep crisis. Internal disputes began after ANFA announced early elections, compounded by RAKEP’s suspension and FIFA’s warnings of suspension, all of which have intensified the turmoil.

While various provincial-level Gold Cup tournaments continue despite RAKEP’s suspension, football at the national and international levels has been severely impacted.

Nepal’s participation in forthcoming international competitions is uncertain, and the future of national tournaments is also unclear. The upcoming South Asian SAFF Senior Championship and age-group tournaments, including the Women’s SAFF Championship, are approaching, yet Nepal’s involvement is undecided.

At a time when the women’s team should be preparing rigorously, the players remain idle.

Junior SAFF tournaments are scheduled for August, and the Men’s SAFF Championship will take place in Bangladesh in September, but due to the uncertainty in Nepali football, it is still unknown whether Nepal will participate.

One month has passed since RAKEP’s three-month suspension began, yet ANFA has not worked in accordance with RAKEP’s directives. Meanwhile, RAKEP has not taken any active steps to promote football activities, and joint meetings with FIFA and AFC have yielded no decisions.

Despite discussions involving government sports authorities, football governing bodies, and international organizations, no clear solutions have emerged.

Following RAKEP’s suspension, while ANFA acts outspokenly, RAKEP claims it has made significant efforts. FIFA and AFC, on the other hand, are waiting to align their decisions favorably, maintaining the suspension warning.

To save Nepali football, all stakeholders must set aside their interests and engage in serious discussion and collaboration that supports football’s development.

No Decision on SAFF, Players Busy in Gold Cup

Had Nepali football been in good condition, the national team would be deep into preparations for the SAFF Women’s Championship in India right now.

With ambitions to win the title for the first time, the coaching staff should have been strategizing and readying the team, but the current situation is quite the opposite.

No decision has been made on Nepal’s participation in the SAFF Women’s Championship, while female players remain occupied with the Chandragadhi Women’s Gold Cup in Jhapa.

The 8th SAFF Women’s Championship is scheduled to be held in Margao, Goa, India, from May 25 to June 7.

At minimum, an initial squad should have been submitted by now, but no official information has been released. According to sources within ANFA, internal preparations are ongoing, but the participation decision lies with RAKEP.

RAKEP Member Secretary Ram Charitra Mehta confirmed that ANFA has not discussed the matter with them, stating, ‘We are monitoring all aspects, but ANFA has said nothing. If the men’s team can be sent, why not the women’s? Some officials planning to go abroad are not allowing players to participate.’

Former national women’s team captain and goalkeeper Anjila Subba expressed on Facebook that politics and administrative disputes now overshadow football in Nepal, causing distress to players.

‘Nepali football stands at a crossroads dominated by politics and administrative conflicts. As a player, it is heartbreaking to witness this,’ she wrote. ‘The dispute between RAKEP and ANFA threatens Nepal’s participation in the SAFF Women’s Championship, showing a disregard for sports. It jeopardizes the dreams and years of hard work of thousands of players.’

She added, ‘The players’ future is uncertain. Without training, technical preparation, or clear plans, how can we step onto the field?’ She appealed humbly for support from the government and ANFA.

Following the SAFF Women’s Championship, the SAFF U-17 Championship will be held in August, but Nepal’s participation remains uncertain.

With RAKEP’s suspension still in place, ANFA defends itself as the ‘suspended association,’ and RAKEP’s lack of initiative in preparing for the SAFF Championship has impacted player participation.

FIFA has declared it will not accept third-party interference and has warned of strict sanctions if the suspension is not lifted.

Until FIFA removes the suspension, Nepal will be barred from participating in any international competition.

Since April 18, the Chandragadhi Gold Cup has been underway, featuring three departmental teams from Nepal as well as a team from Bhutan. Women players are actively engaged in this tournament. The Tribhuvan Army Club won their opening game, while the champion APF team arrived in Jhapa on Sunday, preparing for their matches.

The winners of this tournament will receive a prize of NPR 1.1 million, with NPR 500,000 for the runners-up. Despite the prize money, this does not bring joy to the players.

Not only the women players, but the men’s players and clubs are also busy competing in various Gold Cup tournaments across the districts. On Sunday, the Birat Gold Cup concluded in Morang, with Jhapa 11 winning the title. The Khajur Gold Cup has also concluded in Nepalgunj, and the Ilam Gold Cup is currently underway. Other Gold Cup competitions are planned, including a women’s knockout tournament scheduled in Pokhara.

Despite the suspension by RAKEP affecting central and international football, football activities in the districts remain active.

Impact of ANFA Suspension

Since RAKEP imposed the suspension, national and international football activities in Nepal have largely come to a halt.

Before the suspension, the men’s national team played their final AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Laos—a match for which RAKEP reportedly gave prior approval to ANFA.

But afterward, the women’s team was unable to participate in the FIFA International Series 2026 held in Thailand. ANFA cited RAKEP’s suspension as the reason for the lack of preparation.

The suspension and ongoing dispute over early elections between RAKEP and ANFA led to the cancellation of the friendly match against Hong Kong at Dashrath Rangshala Stadium, with RAKEP accused of denying access to the venue.

Prior to this, the National League and Shahid Smarak Women’s League, both organized by ANFA, had been suspended, primarily due to these internal conflicts.

After allegations surfaced that foreign players with tourist visas participated in the league without proper work permits, the immigration department instructed ANFA not to allow these players. ANFA not only barred their participation but also suspended the entire league, which has prevented the league from resuming since then.

The women’s league had played only four matches, and the APF women’s team had not competed in any game before the halt.

ANFA also failed to fulfill the agreement with the union regarding the opening match of the Shahid Smarak A Division League. Its future has since become uncertain following the suspension.

Nepali football has now almost come to a standstill. To resolve this crisis and restore football to its former state, extensive dialogue and solutions are needed on how to protect ANFA from FIFA suspension.

However, none of the concerned parties have prioritized this issue as all are engrossed in electoral strategies.

Meanwhile, with just over a month remaining until the SAFF Women’s Championship, Nepal’s participation remains unresolved.