ANFA’s AFC Ambitions Hinge on National League, But Licensing Issues Linger

Nepal’s Football Landscape and the Path to AFC Competitions

Nepal’s football scene is undergoing significant changes as the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) works to ensure that its clubs can compete in continental tournaments. The journey, however, has been fraught with challenges, including administrative hurdles, financial constraints, and the need for infrastructure development.

Last month, during a meeting between representatives from a dozen A Division clubs and Minister for Youth and Sports Bablu Gupta, Karma Tsering Sherpa, president of Himalayan Sherpa Club, emphasized the importance of the major prize for the club winning the Martyr’s Memorial ‘A’ Division League: participation in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) club competitions. This prize is crucial as it allows the winner to qualify for the AFC Challenge League, the third-tier continental competition for clubs from nations not directly qualified for the AFC Champions League.

However, the opportunity was missed by Nepali clubs when the ANFA failed to organize the A Division League, which led to their exclusion from the 2025/26 season of the AFC Challenge League. In response, the ANFA proposed a league-cum-knockout tournament in March 2024, but this idea was rejected by the clubs.

The 2025/26 AFC Challenge League began on August 12, with 18 teams competing in the preliminary stage. The group stage involving 20 teams started on October 20 and ended on November 1. The top eight teams advanced to the knockout stage, set to begin on March 4, 2025.

To avoid missing the next opportunity, the ANFA is now planning to organize the National League as a consolation for the A Division League. This decision came after the clubs and ANFA agreed to prioritize the A Division League within 120 days. However, the ANFA later announced that the National League will pave the way for the AFC club tournament.

Expansion of the National League

The National League, scheduled to start on January 9, 2025, will include more participants than usual. Except for the top four teams qualifying from the President League and the top six from the previous A Division League, other A Division clubs can also participate. Laligurans Association Club, Chitlang FC, Nawa Jana Jagriti Yuwa Club, and Kakre Bihar Youth Club have already qualified for the National League.

Once the number of clubs is finalized, the ANFA will decide on the format of the National League. The format must meet specific criteria to allow the winning club to qualify for the AFC tournament. According to ANFA’s Chief Executive Officer Indraman Tuladhar, either the league should be six months long or include 90 matches, including the qualifying round.

AFC Club Licensing Challenges

Nepali clubs have struggled with AFC club licensing for a long time. No Nepali clubs were listed when the AFC revealed the names of licensed clubs for the 2025/26 season. The licensing criteria are strict, requiring youth development programs, a stadium following AFC regulations, training facilities, and a team of administrative personnel.

“The major thing we need is a home stadium,” said ANFA General Secretary Kiran Rai. “We are coordinating with the ministry to complete the renovation work on Dasharath Stadium and lift the AFC suspension. It will then be used by the National League winner as the home ground for the AFC tournament.”

There is also an “Extraordinary Application” provision in the club licensing regulations that could be used by the ANFA. If a club qualifies for an AFC competition on sporting merit but hasn’t undergone the licensing process, it can apply for special permission.

Other Decisions and Developments

The emergency executive committee meeting of the ANFA on Monday also decided to use Edel Grass for artificial ground construction in Dhulikhel and Dhangadhi under the FIFA Forward Programme. The ANFA will also propose a hybrid grass ground at the Dasharath Stadium. Additionally, the ANFA has extended the contract for the national team’s jersey and sports equipment with Kelme until October 21, 2026.

The governing body of Nepali football will also be agreeing with FIFA+ to broadcast Nepal’s domestic and international events live. The A Division League will also be included in the FIFA Contract of Agreed Objectives (CAO) through amendment.

Other developments include the SAFF Women’s U19 Championship in Pokhara, the national women’s club-level knockout tournament hosted by Udayapur, and the study of venues for the Martyr’s Memorial National Women’s League. The process for a franchise league in women’s football is also underway.

The SAFF Club Women’s Championship, scheduled from December 5 to 20 at Dasharath Stadium, is almost complete. Participating teams include APF Club (Nepal), East Bengal FC (India), Nasrin Sports Academy (Bangladesh), Transport United Ladies FC (Bhutan), and Karachi City FC (Pakistan).