FIFA has suspended Nepal’s All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) indefinitely from international football after ruling that third-party interference had taken place within the country’s governing body.
The decision, announced on June 24, 2026, means Nepal’s men’s and women’s national teams, as well as club sides, are barred from taking part in international competitions until the suspension is lifted.
ANFA has also lost access to FIFA and Asian Football Confederation development funding, training courses, educational programmes and other membership benefits for the duration of the ban.
Nepal, which is currently ranked 177th in FIFA’s men’s world rankings, has been caught in a prolonged governance dispute that escalated earlier this year after the National Sports Council suspended ANFA for three months in March before later withdrawing that move.
The conflict centred on ANFA’s election process and broader questions of autonomy, with FIFA and the AFC warning that outside interference in football administration could trigger disciplinary action.
According to FIFA, Nepal breached its rules through what it described as outside interference in the running of ANFA.
“The Bureau of the Council also decided to suspend the All Nepal Football Association with immediate effect due to flagrant violations of the FIFA Statutes linked to interference by a third party in accordance with article 14 paragraphs 1(i) and 3 of the FIFA Statutes.
“Consequently, with effect from 24 June 2026, ANFA has lost all of its membership rights, as defined in article 13 of the FIFA Statutes, until further notice. ANFA representative and club teams are therefore no longer entitled to take part in international competitions until the suspension is lifted.”
FIFA also made clear that the punishment extends far beyond match participation.
“This also means that neither ANFA nor any of its members or officials may benefit from any development programmes, courses or training from FIFA and/or the AFC. Moreover, we would remind you and your affiliates not to enter into any sporting contact with ANFA and/or its teams while ANFA is suspended.
“Finally, the Bureau of the Council or the FIFA Council may lift this suspension at any time before the next FIFA Congress takes place. Should this occur, we will inform you accordingly.”
FIFA’s suspension letter said the ban could be lifted if the dispute is resolved in line with its statutes, including the removal of the contested interference and the restoration of ANFA’s governance process.
ANFA’s situation has already had wider consequences for Nepali football. The country’s football calendar has been disrupted, and ongoing uncertainty over leadership has raised concerns about the development of the game at both senior and grassroots levels.
This is not the first time FIFA has acted against a national association over governance issues. Similar suspensions have been handed to other federations in recent years, including Pakistan, Indonesia, the Republic of Congo and Nigeria.
Nepal could still have the suspension lifted if ANFA meets FIFA’s requirements and the governing body is satisfied that its statutes are being followed.