Q&A: Until football matters to the state, World Cup stays a dream

The legendary striker reflects on Nepal’s stalled domestic league, the rise of the NSL, football’s enduring appeal, and why women may reach the World Cup before men.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across North America, capturing the imagination of billions with its newly expanded 48-team format, football fever has once again gripped the globe. In Nepal, fans eagerly crowd around screens late into the night, dreaming of a day when the red and blue of the national flag might grace the sport’s ultimate stage. Yet, against the backdrop of this global celebration, the reality of domestic football back home presents a stark, sobering contrast.