FIFA Suspends Nepal Football Association Over Interference

FIFA suspended the Nepal Football Association (ANFA) on Thursday due to third-party interference, which violates FIFA statutes. The suspension means that Nepal, currently ranked 175th in FIFA's world rankings and 88th in women's rankings, will not participate in international competitions and will lose access to FIFA's development programs.

The decision was communicated in a letter from FIFA's Secretary General, Mattia Grafstrom. The suspension is effective immediately and will last until March 2026, during which ANFA must prepare for an electoral process.

The Asian Football Confederation has agreed to lift the suspension if the electoral process is completed. ANFA spokesman Suresh Shah expressed concerns that the suspension would dampen the aspirations of players and affect their opportunities.

Ram Charitra Mehta, a member of the National Sports Council, stated that the government is looking for alternatives to address the crisis.