International Women Championship preparation for Asian Cup, World Cup

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 12: The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), the governing body of football in Nepal, has seen the International Women’s Championship between Nepal, Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon as a preparation to qualify for two major platforms.

Organising a press meet in Kathmandu on Tuesday, the ANFA informed that they had high hopes for the Nepali women’s football team and Nepalis could see their flag in the World Cup soon.

“This is the first time that Nepal is hosting four international teams in women’s football,” the ANFA stated.

The AFC Women’s Asia Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup are slated for 2026 and 2027 and the ANFA believes Nepal to play in both the platforms by winning the qualifiers.

Meanwhile, the ANFA also made public the ticket rates for the football tournament. The tickets – general: Rs. 500 and VIP: Rs. 1,000 – can be purchased through the online wallet Khalti.

The ANFA has expected the tournament to require a budget of Rs. 25,056,104.

Nepal’s head coach Rajendra Tamang has stressed the tournament to be tough with all teams preparing extensively. 

However, he believes Nepal can turn the tides at home with a packed crowd at Dasharath Rangasala motivating the girls to win the first trophy for the country and raise hopes for the World Cup.

Currently, Tamang is training 27 of the 30 players in the closed camp. Three of the players – Sabitra Bhandari aka Samba, Rekha Poudel and goalie Anjila Tumbapo Subba – are currently playing overseas and will soon start returning home for the tournament organised in the FIFA International Windows.

The team will be having a training session at Dasharath Rangasala during the evening of February 12. They trained at the ground for two days in the past week where Tamang had called a 39-member initial squad.