Despite nearly four decades of participation in FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Nepal has yet to progress beyond the second round. In the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Nepal was unable to secure victory in the second stage and was consequently eliminated from the competition. Following the loss of international recognition for Dashrath Rangasala, Nepal has been compelled to host its home matches on foreign soil. Coaches have emphasized the necessity of a sustained domestic league and long-term strategic planning for football development.
May 21, Kathmandu – With less than three weeks remaining until the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first edition featuring 48 participating nations. Recognized as the world’s largest football competition, the World Cup is widely discussed across all levels in Nepal, from social media platforms to local tea shops.
Although Nepali supporters have made their presence felt during the World Cup qualifiers, the enthusiasm does not reach full intensity compared to other countries. Nepal has typically been eliminated in the first round throughout its four decades of participation. On the rare occasions when Nepal advanced to the second round, the team’s performance was notably weak. Nepal made its debut in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in 1986 during the Mexico tournament and has participated in nearly every subsequent qualification campaign, except for two occasions, but has never moved past the second stage.
Nepal did not participate in the 1994 qualifiers, while in 2006 it withdrew after registering, incurring a fine of $10,000. In the 2014 qualifiers held in Brazil, Nepal reached the second round for the first time, achieving an impressive 7–1 victory over Timor-Leste. However, the team was eliminated after a heavy 11–1 defeat to Jordan. Nepal exited in the first round during the 2018 qualifiers for Russia and directly entered the second round in the 2022 qualification cycle, ranked among Asia’s top 34 teams—earning a second chance at the second round.
In the second round group featuring Australia, Kuwait, Jordan, and Taiwan, Nepal secured only two wins across eight matches and was eliminated. During the 2026 qualifiers, Nepal successfully cleared the first round for the second consecutive time by defeating Laos with an aggregate score of 2–1 to advance. However, placed in Group H of the second round, Nepal was eliminated by the group winner. The group winner and runner-up were to advance to the AFC Asian Cup and the third round of World Cup qualifiers. Unfortunately, Nepal finished last in the group and ended its campaign after securing just one draw and suffering five losses out of six matches.
During the second round, Nepal conceded 20 goals but managed to score only two. In home-and-away fixtures, Nepal lost 8–0 to the UAE, 4–2 to Yemen, and 8–0 to Bahrain. Except for the match against Yemen, Nepal was not permitted to play on home ground. After Dashrath Rangasala lost international recognition, the Nepali team was compelled to play away games against UAE and Bahrain abroad, denying players the chance to compete on their own turf and fans the opportunity to enjoy World Cup qualifiers at home.
In its four decades of World Cup qualifying history, Nepal has only managed to reach the second round three times and has been eliminated in the first round in most campaigns. The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has faced leadership disputes, along with the absence of a regular league, resulting in player migration and the weakening of Nepali football. Renowned coach Balkopal Maharjan stated, “It is impossible without a long-term plan.” Observing the current circumstances, he remarked that Nepal’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup have become nearly impossible. Maharjan added, “Football leadership has been embroiled in conflicts for four years, and football operations have stalled. What kind of training, academies, and competitions have been given to young generations nationwide? Where are the results and schedules for the U-16, U-17, U-19, and senior teams? This shows that qualifying for the World Cup is merely a myth for Nepal.”
Coach Maharjan highlighted that Nepali football has declined significantly due to the lack of a fundamental league structure, stating, “A league is held only once every four years in Nepal, which has caused football to regress further.” Without proper management of grassroots initiatives and academies and resolution of disputes within football leadership, the development of Nepali football appears unfeasible. Veteran player, captain, and coach Rajukaji Shakya also stressed the importance of long-term planning, noting that qualifying for the World Cup is impossible without it. He said, “We need to move forward with a long-term plan. Whether sooner or later, we can qualify for the World Cup. The Women’s World Cup will be held in 2031, only five years away. We must improve our strategies, investments, and infrastructure with deliberate planning.”
Shakya believes Nepal must learn from strong football nations like Japan and develop comprehensive long-term strategies. “Japan is pursuing a goal to win the World Cup by 2050, and Nepal must undertake planned efforts as well. While India is still struggling in football, Nepal needs to work harder and create more detailed plans,” he stated.
