AFC Deems Dasharath Stadium Unfit for International Matches

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has made the decision to relocate Nepal’s home match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier outside the country. Citing substandard conditions at Dasharath Stadium, the AFC’s move has sparked a wave of disappointment among fans and officials alike.

Initially set to host Bahrain on March 21 at Dasharath Stadium, Nepal will now be forced to play its home fixture in a venue located outside its borders. Following this match, Nepal will travel to Manama for the second leg of the qualifier on March 27.

The decision comes in response to concerns raised by Bahrain, who voiced dissatisfaction with the pitch conditions at Dasharath Stadium. In February, AFC representatives conducted a field visit and subsequently communicated their decision to move the match out of Nepal.

The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) released a statement expressing regret over the situation, acknowledging the challenges posed by the stadium’s scheduling constraints and its heavy usage for various events. ANFA emphasized that efforts were made to maintain the pitch, but these proved insufficient to meet the required standards.

This is not the first instance of Nepal being unable to host international matches due to stadium conditions. In 2019, Nepal faced a similar situation during its World Cup 2022 qualifier against Kuwait, which was relocated to Thimpu, Bhutan.

While ANFA has issued an apology for the inconvenience caused, it also views this setback as an opportunity to advocate for the construction of a new football stadium in Nepal. Dasharath Stadium, the country’s only international-standard football venue, has been under immense strain due to hosting various events, including sports meets and concerts.

The incident underscores the pressing need for infrastructure development in Nepalese football and serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining adequate facilities to support the country’s sporting aspirations.