Kathmandu: Nearly a month after the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) withdrew from the Thailand FIFA Women’s Series, citing a suspension imposed by the National Sports Council (NSC), the football governing body on Tuesday announced a preliminary squad for the upcoming SAFF Women’s Championship.

The three-month suspension imposed by the NSC on March 25, however, remains in effect.

According to ANFA, head coach Nabin Neupane has named a 35-member preliminary squad for the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026, which is scheduled to begin on April 27 at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato.

Asked why ANFA pulled out of the FIFA Series but is preparing for the SAFF Championship, ANFA spokesperson Suresh Shah said: “We did not receive approval from the national authority (NSC) for the FIFA Series. However, we are trying to coordinate with the NSC for SAFF. We have called a training camp to prepare the team for the tournament and will participate if we receive approval.”

However, the NSC has refuted ANFA’s claim that it denied approval for participation in the FIFA Women’s Series. “They neither discussed nor coordinated with us regarding participation or withdrawal from the FIFA Series,” said NSC Member Secretary Ram Charitra Meheta. “It would be better to ask ANFA why they withdrew.”

Meheta added that the NSC has never denied participation of any team in international events, including age-group and national teams.

Regarding the women’s team’s participation in the SAFF Championship, Meheta said ANFA has not formally informed the NSC. “We do not have a policy of denying teams participation in international events, and we will not deny the women’s team if ANFA seeks approval,” he added.

As highlighted by Meheta, Nepal’s men’s U-18 team recently participated in the SAFF U-18 Championship in the Maldives, while the senior men’s team played against Laos in the AFC Asian Cup Group ‘F’ qualifiers, losing 1-0. Both teams were sent by ANFA following the three-month suspension imposed by the NSC.

SAFF Women’s Championship

The tournament is scheduled to be held at Fatorda Stadium in Goa, India, from May 25 to June 7.

Nepal have finished as runners-up in six of the past seven editions of the SAFF Women’s Championship held since 2010.

Preliminary Squad

 Anjila Tumbapo Subba, Anjana Rana Magar, Anita Basnet, Anita Lamjel, Anita KC, Asmita Nepali, Barsa Oli, Bimala BK, Bimala Chaudhari, Birsana Chaudhari, Dipa Shahi, Gita Rana, Hira Bhujel, Jenifer Rana, Maan Maya Damai, Meena Deuba, Neha Kumari Chaudhari, Nisha Thokar, Poonam Chemjong, Pratikshya Chaudhary, Preeti Rai, Puja Rana, Purnima Rai, Rashmi Kumari Ghising, Rekha Poudel, Renuka Nagarkoti, Sabina Chaudhari, Sajani Thokar, Samikshya Ghimire, Sarswoti Hamal, Saru Limbu, Senu Pariyar, Sukriya Miya, Sushila Kumari, Usha Nath.