FIFA Suspends Nepal Over Third-Party Interference

World football’s governing body FIFA has suspended Nepal’s football association from all international competitions.

In a letter to All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), FIFA said that the decision came after “undue interference by a third party”, referring to arguments between ANFA and Nepal’s National Sports Council, which is the country’s authority for sports administration, over governance of Nepali football.

FIFA decided on Wednesday June 25, to suspend ANFA with immediate effect due to flagrant violations of the FIFA Statutes,” FIFA’s Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom said in the letter.

The council had in March 2026, suspended ANFA for three months as the association was preparing for an election process that FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation had agreed to before the suspension was later lifted in May.

The required elective congress has been repeatedly delayed, with the sports council issuing several directives, including the amendment of ANFA’s statutes under the country’s sports development act.

The suspension means Nepal can no longer participate in international competitions and the association will lose out on FIFA development programmes, courses or trainings.

FIFA further revealed that the suspension will be lifted if the council revokes its March decisions and allows ANFA to finalise its electoral process.

FIFA statute holds that a national football association must operate independently of government bodies

Nepal is currently ranked 175th in FIFA’s world rankings. The women’s national team ranks 88th.