The Nepal national under-17 football team () is the under-17 football team of Nepal. The team is controlled by the All Nepal Football Association and is a member of the Asian Football Confederation.

History

Early years In the mid-1980s, FIFA provided financial assistance and sent a number of coaches to help Nepal launch its first youth programme, which was geared towards spotting talent at the grassroots level (such as in schools, for example) and providing young players with the necessary know-how, both on and off the pitch. The initial five-year plan helped half the players groomed under the first youth programme to find a place in the national side, and the team that won the 2 gold medals in the first and sixth South Asian Federation (SAF) Games mostly consisted of the players from that youth programme.

Youth investment ANFA asked FIFA for financial assistance to check the downslide of Nepalese domestic football and in 1998, FIFA agreed to donate funds through its Financial Assistance Programme (FAP), thereby allowing ANFA to construct a secretariat along with a football pitch and a hostel in Kathmandu to launch its youth development programme. The two-year intensive training period for the youth players selected in 1998 produced a number of skilful players, who recently participated in the ninth South Asian Games (Pakistan, 29 March - 5 April). The same team had earlier topped its group in the Asian Cup preliminary round in March 2004.

However, despite reaching the finals tournament of the 2000 AFC U-17 Championship in Vietnam, Nepal refused to participate in a biological age test, and as a result was banned from the 2002 AFC U-17 Championship. This, along with the Maoist uprising left manager Stephen Constantine to resign.

In 2002, endeavours to develop football received a further fillip when FIFA awarded a Goal programme to Nepal. Thanks to this project, ANFA has constructed regional football centres that include hostels, office secretariats and playing grounds in three major towns in three different regions. ANFA built these centres to focus on spotting hidden talent in villages or schools around the nation. These centres will also provide the necessary coaching and physical training, and in the long-term, the nation as a whole will benefit with more regional football sides on a par with the clubs of Kathmandu.

Recent years Nepal was fined by the Asian Football Confederation for fielding over-age players during the 2014 AFC U-16 Championship. Since the fine, the All Nepal Football Association has put in place several necessary age checks as part of selection/trials. The most recent team has qualified for the 2016 AFC U-16 Championship, making it the first Nepal U-16 team to achieve a back-to-back qualification in history. However, the team was then excluded from the tournament due to player Manish Karki failing an MRI bone test. Nepal was penalized and ruled to have forfeited all three of their qualification group matches where the ineligible player was fielded by a 3–0 scoreline.

Stadium

The team's home ground is shared with the Nepal national football team at the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, a multi-purpose stadium in Tripureswor, Kathmandu, Nepal. Holding 25,000 spectators, of which 5.000 seated, it is the biggest stadium in Nepal. It is named after Dashrath Chand, one of the martyrs of Nepal.

Most recently, the stadium was used as a primary venue for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup and the 2013 SAFF Championship, with the Halchowk Stadium hosting some of the matches as well. Apart from sporting events, the stadium is also used as a music venue for cultural events with Bryan Adams being the most notable act that performed at the site.

Prior to the 2013 SAFF Championship in Nepal, the Dasarath Rangasala underwent heavy renovation that saw several improvements such as the expansion of seats from 20,000 to 25,000.

Recent results and fixtures 2025

2024

2010s DateOpponentResultScore*VenueCompetition29 October 2018L0–1 ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal2018 SAFF U-15 Championship1 November 2018L0–4 ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal2018 SAFF U-15 Championship29 October 2018L0–1 ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal2018 SAFF U-15 Championship25 October 2018W4–0 ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal2018 SAFF U-15 Championship24 September 2017L1–2 ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal2018 AFC U-16 Championship qualification22 September 2017D2–2 ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal2018 AFC U-16 Championship qualification20 September 2017L0–1 ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal2018 AFC U-16 Championship qualification27 August 2017L1–2 ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal2017 SAFF U-15 Championship (Final)25 August 2017W4–2 ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal2017 SAFF U-15 Championship (Semi-final)23 August 2017L1–2 ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal2017 SAFF U-15 Championship21 August 2017W6–0 ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, Nepal2017 SAFF U-15 Championship20 September 2015L0–3 (forfeit) Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan2016 AFC U-16 Championship qualification18 September 2015L0–3 (forfeit) Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan2016 AFC U-16 Championship qualification16 September 2015L0–3 (forfeit) Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan2016 AFC U-16 Championship qualification16 August 2015L0–1 Sylhet District Stadium, Sylhet, Bangladesh2015 SAFF U-16 Championship (Semi-final)14 August 2015W1–0 Sylhet District Stadium, Sylhet, Bangladesh2015 SAFF U-16 Championship10 August 2015W5–0 Sylhet District Stadium, Sylhet, Bangladesh2015 SAFF U-16 Championship4 August 2015 Manang Marshyangdi Club W3–0 ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, NepalExhibition match (Friendly)2 August 2015 APF Club L0–1 ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, NepalExhibition match (Friendly)28 July 2015 (U-19)L2–5 ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, NepalExhibition match (Friendly)14 July 2015 (U-19)L0–2 ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, NepalExhibition match (Friendly)16 October 2014 Fluminense FCL0–1 Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi, India2014 U-17 Subroto Cup (Quarter final)Nepal entered the tournament as Lok Smriti High School, a side endorsed by the ANFA Academy to feed into the U16 national team in the following year. Effectively a Nepal U15 side.13 October 2014 HVS MizoramD3–3 Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi, India2014 U-17 Subroto Cup12 October 2014 Tripura Sports SchoolW5–1 NWC Football Ground, New Delhi, India2014 U-17 Subroto Cup11 October 2014 CRPF DelhiW4–0 Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi, India2014 U-17 Subroto Cup11 September 2014L1–4 Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand2014 AFC U-16 Championship 9 September 2014W2–1 SCG Stadium, Nonthaburi, Thailand2014 AFC U-16 Championship 7 September 2014D1–1 SCG Stadium, Nonthaburi, Thailand2014 AFC U-16 Championship 31 August 2014D3–3 PAT Stadium, Bangkok, ThailandExhibition match (Friendly)22 August 2014 Manang Marshyangdi ClubL0–2 ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, NepalExhibition match (Friendly)Match played against a non-youth senior side.13 August 2014 R.S.C. Anderlecht (U-19)L0–5 Neerpede Ground, Brussels, BelgiumExhibition match (Friendly)10 August 2014 KFC Zwarte LeeuwW3–2 Louis Van Roey Stadium, Rijkevorsel, BelgiumExhibition match (Friendly)5 August 2014 (U-23)D1–1 ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, NepalExhibition match (Friendly)19 July 2014D0–0 Paju National Football Center, Paju, South KoreaExhibition match (Friendly)15 July 2014 Neunggok High SchoolW1–0 Paju National Football Center, Paju, South KoreaExhibition match (Friendly)11 July 2014 Boin High SchoolD2–2 Paju National Football Center, Paju, South KoreaExhibition match (Friendly) 20 June 2014L0–1 ANFA Complex, Lalitpur, NepalExhibition match (Friendly) 4 March 2014 APF ClubL1–1 (2–4 pen) Pokhara Rangasala, Pokhara, Nepal12th Aaha Gold Cup28 February 2014 Madhyapur Youth AssociationW3–2 Chyasal Technical Centre, Lalitpur, NepalExhibition match (Friendly)14 February 2014 Mahindra Bansbari F.CW5–0 Bansbari Home Ground, Kathmandu, NepalExhibition match (Friendly)17 November 2013 Mohammedan S.C.L0–1 Paljor Stadium, Gangtok, Sikkim2013 Sikkim Gold Cup (Quarterfinal)12 November 2013 George Telegraph S.C.W4–1 Paljor Stadium, Gangtok, Sikkim2013 Sikkim Gold Cup9 November 2013 Eastern Railway F.C.W1–0 Paljor Stadium, Gangtok, Sikkim2013 Sikkim Gold Cup25 October 2013 HKNFAL0–3 Pokhara Rangasala, Pokhara, Nepal2013 SAFAL Pokhara Cup29 September 2013 W4–0 Dasarath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal2014 AFC U-16 Championship qualification27 September 2013D2–2 Dasarath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal2014 AFC U-16 Championship qualification25 September 2013W2–0 Dasarath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal2014 AFC U-16 Championship qualification30 July 2013L0–1 Dasarath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal2013 SAFF U-16 Championship (Final)27 July 2013 W5–1 Dasarath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal2013 SAFF U-16 Championship (Semi-final)24 July 2013 W3–0 Dasarath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal2013 SAFF U-16 Championship22 July 2013 D1–1 Dasarath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal2013 SAFF U-16 Championship

2000s DateOpponentResultScore*VenueCompetition5 September 2006D0–0 Bishan Stadium, Bishan, Singapore2006 AFC U-17 Championship5 September 2006L0–2 Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Singapore2006 AFC U-17 Championship3 September 2006L0–6 Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Singapore2006 AFC U-17 Championship17 November 2005W2–0 Kathmandu, Nepal2006 AFC U-17 Championship qualification15 November 2005W2–1 Kathmandu, Nepal2006 AFC U-17 Championship qualification3 December 2003W2–0 New Delhi, India2004 AFC U-17 Championship qualification1 December 2003D1–1 New Delhi, India2004 AFC U-17 Championship qualification9 September 2000L0–3 Da Nang, Vietnam2000 AFC U-17 Championship7 September 2000L0–3 Da Nang, Vietnam2000 AFC U-17 Championship5 September 2000L0–5 Da Nang, Vietnam2000 AFC U-17 Championship3 September 2000L2–6 Da Nang, Vietnam2000 AFC U-17 Championship14 June 2000W3–0 Kathmandu, Nepal2000 AFC U-17 Championship qualification12 June 2000W5–3 Kathmandu, Nepal2000 AFC U-17 Championship qualification10 June 2000W7–0 Kathmandu, Nepal2000 AFC U-17 Championship qualification

1990s DateOpponentResultScore*VenueCompetition27 April 1998W1–0 Kathmandu, Nepal1998 AFC U-17 Championship qualification24 April 1998L0–1 Kathmandu, Nepal1998 AFC U-17 Championship qualification20 April 1998W10–0 Kathmandu, Nepal1998 AFC U-17 Championship qualification

Coaching staff

Position NameHead coach Sanoj Shrestha (U17) Rabindra Silakar (U16)Asst. Coach Dhaneshwor Prajapati Goalkeeper Coach Prabin Khachhe Shrestha Team Doctor Raju Dangol Physiotherapist Nishant Joshi Official Dhan Kumar Lama Tamang Kalyan Kumar Khadka Ram Chandra Tamang Lama Manager Bijendra Pudasaini Media Manager Nilam Maharjan

Players

U-17 Squad The following 23 players were selected for the most recent fixtures in the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification.

U-16 Squad The 23-man squad was Entered for the 2023 SAFF U-16 Championship.

Competitive record

FIFA U-17 World Cup In order to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, AFC teams must secure a berth (currently, semi-finals) through a continental tournament, the AFC U-17 Asian Cup.

FIFA U-17 World Cup finals recordFIFA U-17 World Cup qualifying recordYearResultResult 1985 to 1999 Did not qualify Did not qualify 2001 Round 104004217–15 2003 Did not qualify 2005 2007 Round 11301208–8 2009 Did not qualify 2011 2013 2015 Round 14311146–2 2017 Disqualified Disqualified; replaced by Oman–––––––– 2019 to 2025 did not qualify Did not qualifyTotal 000000000 3/20510127631-25

AFC U-17 Asian Cup