The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has officially confirmed that Nepal will forfeit its right to host matches in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers due to ongoing political unrest at home.
The decision comes after widespread protests by the Gen-Z movement, which has escalated into riots aimed at toppling the government. The tense situation in Kathmandu and surrounding regions has made it impossible to safely stage international matches.
As a result, ANFA has agreed to relocate both of its October fixtures against Vietnam to be played entirely on Vietnamese soil.
Under the original fixture list, Vietnam was due to host the first leg in Hanoi on 9 October, before traveling to Dasharath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu for the return match on 14 October.
However, the revised schedule will now see both games staged in Vietnam:
- 9 October – First leg at Binh Duong Stadium
- 14 October – Second leg (originally Nepal’s home match) at Thong Nhat Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City
By surrendering its home-ground advantage, Nepal faces a steeper challenge in Group qualifying. Playing twice in front of Vietnamese fans gives the Golden Star Warriors a clear edge as they look to advance to the next stage of the Asian Cup 2027 campaign.
Credit Photo : ANFA
