Thousands chase 14 spots for Nepal’s FIFA U15 World Cup squad

A rare chance to represent Nepal at the global event has drawn a huge response from young footballers, exposing the sharp contrast between grassroots enthusiasm and government neglect.

When FIFA suspended the All Nepal Football Association on June 24, leading to Nepal’s exclusion from the SAFF Championship draw, it appeared to confirm the worst: Nepali football was completely cut off from the international stage.