Entire country suspended from all football by FIFA as statement issued

FIFA has completely banned a nation from international competition for breaking one of its key rules.

The eyes of the globe are firmly placed on football, with the World Cup festivities in full swing.

It's been a joyous party of internationalism (for the most part) across the United States, Mexico and Canada this summer. However, not every nation managed to qualify for the newly-expanded 48-team World Cup (unlucky, Italy) and now, Nepal has been banned from international football 'until further notice'.

Nepal aren't a footballing powerhouse, with the men's team ranked 177th in the FIFA rankings and the women's side at 88th, but they did win the AFC Solidarity Cup in 2016 and have some South Asian Games gold medals to their name.

However, they won't be competing at all for the foreseeable future after being handed an indefinite ban by FIFA due to third-party interference.

The Nepal football team in action (Ambir Tolang/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

FIFA announce suspension of Nepal

FIFA has suspended the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), which means its national teams and clubs are not allowed to enter international football, or FIFA and Asian Football Confederation competitions.

The ban has come as the ANFA has been accused of being interfered with by a third party.

The Kathmandu Post, as per the Express, reports that the ANFA had previously been suspended by Nepal's National Sports Council, as it refused to recognise an ANFA election, with the current executive committee already seeing its reign end.

FIFA Secretary General, Mattias Grafstrom, wrote in a statement to member associations: "We hereby inform you that, as a result of the decision taken by the Bureau of the Council on 24 June 2026, ANFA has been suspended until further notice in accordance with Article 16 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."

The All Nepal Football Association has been accused by FIFA of being interfered with by a third party (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

What does this ban mean for the country and its football associations?

The ban doesn't just Nepal can't compete, but that other nations' football associations can't even get in touch with them.

The statement continues: "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."

There is a way back for Nepal, though, as Congo and Pakistan had both previously been banned for similar third-party interference but had theirs lifted in 2025.

LADbible has approached the ANFA for comment.