Nepal head coach Abdullah Almutairi has called up a 24-man preliminary squad for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers, set to be held in Kuwait in June this year.

Nepal are pitted in Group A alongside Jordan, hosts Kuwait and Indonesia. Almutairi’s men will play Jordan on June 8, Kuwait on June 11 and Indonesia on June 14. The winners of each group (from Group A to F) and the best five runner-ups will book their tickets to the Asian Cup finals in China.

Nawayug Shrestha has returned to the national team after a five-month layoff due to a knee injury. Defender Bikash Khawas is also back in the national colours after being sidelined for almost a year due to injury.

The national team’s closed camp begins on April 15, according to All Nepal Football Association (ANFA).

Squad: Kiran Kumar Limbu (GK), Deep Karki (GK), Bishal Shrestha (GK), Ananta Tamang, Anjan Bista, Arik Bista, Ayush Ghalan, Bikash Khawas, Bimal Gharti Magar, Darshan Gurung, Devendra Tamang, Dinesh Rajbanshi, Gautam Shrestha, Manish Dangi, Nawayug Shrestha, Pujan Uperkoti, Rohit Chand, Santosh Tamang, Sujal Shrestha, Suman Aryal, Suman Lama, Sunil Bal, Suraj Jeu Thakuri, Tej Tamang.