Football in Nepal is weird. It’s easily the most loved sport in the country, yet the national team—affectionately known as the Gorkhalis—constantly feels like it’s running a marathon with its shoelaces tied together. If you've ever stood in the pouring rain at Dasharath Stadium (Dasharath Rangasala) among 15,000 screaming fans, you know the passion is real. But passion doesn't always put the ball in the back of the net, and as of early 2026, the Nepal national football team is navigating one of its most turbulent periods in recent memory.
Ranked 182nd in the world according to the latest FIFA standings, Nepal isn't exactly a global powerhouse. Honestly, they’ve been hovering around this territory for a while, hitting a record low of 196 back in 2016 and a historic high of 124 in the early 90s. But looking at the numbers doesn't tell the whole story. To understand where the Gorkhalis are going, you have to look at the chaos happening both on the pitch and in the administrative offices of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA).
The Dasharath Dilemma: A Home Team Without a Home
It’s actually kinda embarrassing. In August 2025, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) took one look at Dasharath Stadium and basically said, "Nope." The pitch was declared unfit for international play. This isn't just about some patchy grass; we're talking about a lack of modern drainage, misaligned floodlights that make night games a nightmare, and security issues where players and fans are basically tripping over each other in the tunnels.
Because of this, Nepal lost its home-field advantage for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. Imagine having to play "home" games against teams like Vietnam and Malaysia in neutral venues like Manama or Kuwait City. It’s a massive blow. The fans in Kathmandu are legendary for their noise, and taking that away from players like Anjan Bista or captain Kiran Chemjong is like asking a chef to cook without salt.
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Current ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nembang has been under fire for this. While there are talks of a new 50,000-capacity stadium in Jagati, Bhaktapur, that’s years away. For now, the Gorkhalis are essentially nomads.
The Player Exodus: Why Everyone Is Leaving
The biggest threat to Nepal's footballing future isn't a lack of talent. It's Australia.
That sounds like a joke, but it’s 100% true. Over the last two years, dozens of top-tier Nepali players have packed their bags and moved to Australia. We're not talking about big-money transfers to the A-League; they’re moving for better life opportunities and playing in semi-pro or amateur leagues just to stay fit. When the domestic Martyr's Memorial 'A' Division League isn't consistent and players aren't getting paid, can you blame them?
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Experienced names like Rohit Chand and Arik Bista have publicly voiced their frustrations. Even stars like Manish Dangi have been seen protesting on the streets of Kathmandu, demanding that ANFA actually organize a regular league. Without a league, players lose their "touch" and stamina. You can't just train for two weeks and expect to beat a side like Malaysia.
Current Key Figures (2025-2026)
- Head Coach: Hari Khadka (The legendary striker took the reins to stabilize the ship).
- Captain: Kiran Chemjong (The "Wall of Nepal" with over 111 caps).
- The Goal Machine: Anjan Bista (Currently sitting on 13 international goals, chasing the all-time record of 14 held by Ganesh Thapa).
- Rising Talent: Laken Limbu and Ayush Ghalan are the names everyone is watching, provided they don't join the migration wave.
A Glimmer of Hope in the SAFF Region
Despite the domestic drama, the Gorkhalis still show flashes of brilliance. Their performance in the SAFF Championship is usually where the heart is. After reaching the final for the first time in 2021, the expectation is always a podium finish. In the 2024-2025 cycle, the team managed some decent draws against Hong Kong and Bangladesh, but the lack of a clinical finisher—aside from Anjan—is glaring.
The women’s team is actually outperforming the men right now. In the 2024 SAFF Women's Championship, Nepal finished as runners-up to Bangladesh in a heartbreaking 2-1 final at a packed Dasharath Stadium. It proves the fans will show up if the product on the pitch is competitive.
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What Needs to Change?
Honestly, the "Gorkhali Spirit" can only take you so far. To stop being the "underdogs" of South Asia, three things have to happen:
- League Stability: If the National League doesn't run for at least 6-8 months a year, the national team will never have the fitness levels required for the AFC level.
- Infrastructure: Fix the damn stadium. Or at least the pitch. Playing home games in the Middle East is a financial and psychological drain.
- Youth Pipeline: The U-17 and U-19 teams are showing promise, but they need a clear path to professional contracts so they don't see a plane ticket to Sydney as their only "win."
Nepal national football team supporters are some of the most resilient people on earth. They’ve sat through earthquake-damaged stands and 16-0 losses to South Korea. They deserve a team that is supported by its federation as much as it is by its people.
Actionable Insight for Fans: If you want to support the growth of the game, focus on local club football. Follow the Nepal Super League (NSL) and the 'A' Division matches when they happen. The pressure from a vocal, engaged fanbase is the only thing that will force the administration to prioritize the pitch over the politics. Watch out for the upcoming friendlies in late 2026—if Dasharath is ready, the atmosphere will be electric.