Subas Humagain, Kathmandu
The Nepali men’s national football team is facing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday in the second round of FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC qualifiers. Only 3 players from the team that started the second round of the World Cup qualifiers 4 years ago are currently in the Nepali team.
Captain Kiran Chemjong, who has played the most games for Nepal, defender Rohit Chand, who is playing football at the highest level, and Anjan Bista, the current top scorer are the only members who have repeated the journey. Nepal’s most reliable defender Ananta Tamang was supposed to be in the team, but was rested after picking up an injury just 2 days before leaving for UAE.
The current team of Nepal is probably the least experienced team competing at this level. Only 7 out of 23 players in the team have played more than 10 matches for the national team. The average age is around 23 years and 7 players are yet to make their debut.
Coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese himself has taken charge of the national team for a dozen matches. During this period, he has been constantly changing the team and preparing new players. So much that the phase is not in transition but entering into a ‘new era’ already.
Annese is eyeing to build a team for the future rather than strengthen team for current results. However, there are fears these frequent changes will impact Nepal’s performance.
The exodus of players to Australia forced new players to be included in the team. But despite this, the frequent number of changes is surprising. Due to the lack of league football, many new players have been included in the team on the basis of their playing style and not their performance.
There is also concern that the lack of experience will be a problem against a team of quality aiming to play in the World Cup.
Two years ago, Nepal went through a similar phase. The then Head Coach Abdullah Almutairi had a dispute with the senior players and included majority of young players in the squad. The results then were forgettable. Even though Nepal suffered a massive defeat, the result was deemed to be learning phase for ‘new era’.
If we look few weeks back, some players in the current team did not expect to be named amongst the trainees, let alone in the national team. and majority of these players haven’t played competitive football for months now.
On the eve of the match against UAE, coach Annese said that Nepal, being a young team, will play fearlessly against UAE. ‘Our average age is 22/23. We only have two senior Rohit and Kiran, others are very young.’
‘When you are Young and Energetic team can think positive about physicality and mentality. They don’t fear the atmosphere there is in UAE. I see there is organization for fans and the coach has asked for more supporters in stadium.’
‘We know the level of the UAE. We have also faced other teams like UAE in the past. We have watched the game and players of the opposing team. We want to play this game and hope to enjoy it. As this is a World Cup qualifier, we also respect this level of football,’ added Annese.
Captain Kiran also said that he is ready to face players like UAE star Ali Mabkhout, who is considered one of the best in Asia.
‘I have faced many players in my career and have great experience playing big big players. Last time, I faced Australia’s top players in the Qualifiers who played in Premier League. So, it doesn’t matter. I am always here to protect my team and i will do the same tomorrow.’
Coach Annese also said that he is always ready to face new challenges. ‘Its new challenge for myself too. Me as a coach, I have faced many difficult teams, country and I don’t fear. Maybe I fear, but its always a new challenge. We as a human being are born to face challenge.’
‘I am emotional to face opposition coach Bento. In Portugal, after Mourinho its Bento. So I am happy to shake his hands and hope to give him tough competition.’
Annese feels the team won’t take pressure of achieving set target but take the journey match by match.
‘We don’t need to put target all the time. If we put target, we may not focus on game tomorrow. So, I want to enjoy the game. Hoping for a spectacular game tomorrow from both sides.’
On the other hand, Paulo Bento, the coach of UAE, said that Nepal will not be taken lightly. ‘We have to think about the opposing team as well. They also came here to compete. The main goal is to pay attention to our game and present the best possible game,” said Bento, who coached South Korea at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Although Annese’s contract with ANFA is for a short period, he has laid long-term plan in place. Annese did not call up any players over 30 who were capable of being in current team.
Although this decision will affect the results, the risk to prepare a new team is well in place. This risk comes with challenge for new look team to protect Nepal’s face in international football.
