Kathmandu, July 27
Nepal have been drawn against Laos in the first qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
The home-and-away legs will be played on October 12 and October 17. The first leg will be played at Dashrath Stadium on October 12.
If Nepal beat Laos, they will reach the second qualification round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
Nepal beat Laos twice in the recently held Prime Ministers’ Three National Cup.
Head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese has called up 30 players to this preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
Annese has decided to leave six players from the squad who were part of the recently held SAFF Championship.
Notable absentees from the squad include Bishal Shrestha, Nishan Khadka, Navin Lama, Mani Kumar Lama, Pujan Uperkoti and Dipak Raj Singh Thakuri.
