Nepal’s women’s football team is embarking on a crucial tour of Thailand, where it will play two friendlies, seen as vital warm-up matches ahead of their historic campaign in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers starting June-end.

Speaking to journalists during the farewell ceremony on Tuesday, head coach Rajendra Tamang and skipper Anjila Tumbapo Subba stressed high hopes for the Asian Cup qualifiers and the opportunities it would bring on the world stage.

“If we can make it to the 2026 Asian Cup in Australia, it will be a history in itself,” Tamang said. “The entry to Asia’s biggest platform will also open doors for the 2027 World Cup and the LA Olympics in 2027.”

However, making it to the Asian Cup will not be easy. Of the 34 teams divided into eight groups—two of five and six of four—Nepal are in Group F with Uzbekistan, Laos and Sri Lanka. Uzbekistan will host Group F’s qualifiers in a single round-robin structure.

“Uzbekistan are not easy to beat, they are the favourites from our group,” Kiran Rai, ANFA general secretary, said in the farewell. “It would have been more challenging if we were to face them without the preparations in Thailand.”

ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nembang said if Nepal can beat Thailand or challenge them well, it will mount pressure on Uzbekistan and other opponents in the Asian qualifiers. “It would be very beneficial for the deciding tournament,” Nembang said.

ANFA officials said the matches with Thailand are a history in themselves. “It is probably the first time that our women’s team is playing against a team ranked within the Top 50 in the FIFA Ranking,” said Suresh Shah, ANFA spokesperson.

The two friendlies against Thailand have been scheduled for May 30 (closed door) and June 2 (open). “We were also surprised when we found that one of the practice matches was behind closed doors,” Tamang said. “Maybe they seek to understand us better before facing us before their fans.”

Thailand are 47th in the FIFA Ranking while Uzbekistan are ranked 50th. Nepal are 99th.

Uzbekistan were one of the bidders seeking to host the 2026 Asian Cup itself. It suggests how prepared their women’s team is.

“We are certain to learn a lot from the friendlies with Thailand,” said skipper Subba. “They are a better-ranked team but we will be there to win.”

Subba, who is currently playing in the highest division of Greece, argued that the team was doing great in the midfield region and ahead. “We have Saru, Renuka and Preeti in the midfield and the likes of Sabitra Bhandari as strikers,” Subba said. “However, there is a problem in the back.”

Subba accepted that she has been unable to coordinate well with the defenders during matches. “Sometimes the defenders do not hear my call from the goalline,” she said. “It is also due to the crowd and noise. But we are bonding well in the training and are ready to face Thailand.”

Coach Tamang also stressed that he has trained the team well in the available period of time. “Rekha Poudel and Sabitra will join the team directly in Thailand on Wednesday,” he added.

Tamang added that he was not affected by the fact that he would be replaced by a UEFA pro-license coach after his return from Thailand.

ANFA President Nembang and General Secretary Rai say the women’s team will be welcomed with a pro-license coach upon their return from Thailand.

“A pro-license coach is always the best choice because they are more experienced and knowledgeable,” said Tamang. “I hope to learn more from the new coach as well,” he added, citing that he was looking forward to working as the new coach’s assistant.

ANFA officials, however, said that Tamang’s appointment as the new coach’s assistant was not certain. “There is a growing trend and increasing pressure for professional women’s football teams to have a female assistant coach or physiotherapist,” a high-level ANFA official told the Post on the condition of anonymity. “Thus, Tamang’s entry as the assistant is not certain.”

Nepal’s captain Subba also said that the team was eager to train under a professional coach. “We do not know how influential the new coach will be because we have a short time to prepare for the Asian Cup qualifiers,” Subba said. “We needed such a coach early. But better late than never.”

Nepal’s Asian Cup qualifiers campaign will begin with the match against Laos on June 29. They will play Sri Lanka on July 2 and Uzbekistan on July 5.

The eight group toppers from the qualifiers will join the four other teams—host Australia and the top three teams of the previous edition (China, South Korea and Japan)—in the Asian Cup. If Nepal enter the Asian Cup and reach the quarter-final stage, there is a high chance of them qualifying for the 2027 World Cup. And a quality performance in the Asian Cup would also open the doors for Nepal to LA 2028.

Nepal participated in the Asian Cup in 1986, 1989 and 1999, when teams were invited or allowed to enter directly. However, they have failed to enter the event since the qualification process was introduced in the 2006 edition.