FIFA Suspends Nepal Football Association Over Interference

The global governing body for soccer, FIFA, has suspended the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) with immediate effect, barring all of Nepal's national teams and clubs from international competitions. The suspension, announced on Thursday, June 25, 2026, took effect on June 24 and was imposed due to what FIFA described as "flagrant violations" of its statutes concerning third-party interference.

The decision stems from a prolonged governance dispute between ANFA and Nepal's National Sports Council, the country's state sports authority. FIFA mandates that its member associations operate independently from government bodies. The conflict escalated earlier this year when the National Sports Council suspended ANFA for three months in March, a decision it later revoked in May. The council has also issued directives regarding the amendment of ANFA's statutes and has been involved in a dispute over the association's election process, which has been repeatedly delayed.

As a result of the suspension, ANFA has lost all its membership rights. Nepal's national teams and clubs are no longer eligible to participate in competitions organized by FIFA or the Asian Football Confederation...