Nepal’s dreams of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been shattered. Despite being in the year 2024, with the tournament set to be hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, Nepal’s journey in the AFC qualifiers has already reached its end.
In the initial round of qualifiers, Nepal showed promise by defeating Laos 2-1 over two legs. However, their hopes were dashed in the second round, particularly in Group H, where they faced tough opponents.
Group H consisted of four teams: UAE, Bahrain, Yemen, and Nepal. Nepal’s performance was dismal, losing all four matches. They suffered defeats against UAE (4-0), Yemen (2-0), Bahrain (5-0), and again to Bahrain (3-0). Nepal failed to score even a single goal against their opponents, highlighting their struggles on the field.
With two matches remaining in the qualifiers, against UAE and Bahrain, Nepal’s chances of advancing are nonexistent. Only the top two teams from the group can progress further, and Nepal cannot secure one of those spots.
UAE leads the group with a perfect record of four wins out of four matches, accumulating 12 points. Bahrain follows closely behind with nine points, securing their position in second place. Nepal, on the other hand, languishes at the bottom of the group, with no points to their name.
Current point table of World Cup 2026 qualifiers Group H
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Bahrain | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Yemen | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Nepal | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
The poor performance in the qualifiers reflects Nepal’s inadequate football infrastructure. Even the inability to host their home match against Bahrain due to poor stadium conditions at Dasarath Stadium underscores the challenges faced by Nepali football.
ANFA, the governing body, has come under scrutiny for its failure to adequately develop football in the country. The lack of regular league matches has forced talented players to seek opportunities abroad, particularly in countries like Australia.
The overall state of Nepali football is dire, with concerns raised about the government and football association’s inability to address these issues effectively. Unless significant improvements are made, Nepal’s footballing future remains uncertain.
Nepal’s Results in FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers – Second Round
| Opponent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|
| UAE | Lost (Away) | 0-4 |
| Yemen | Lost (Home) | 0-2 |
| Bahrain | Lost (Away) | 0-5 |
| Bahrain | Lost (Away) | 0-3 |
Also See: Nepal Football Team Fixtures
