From Aaron Thapa to Samir Tamang : ANFA Announces 89-Player Preliminary Squad for U-23 National Team Trials Ahead of 2026 AFC Qualifiers

 

The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has officially announced a preliminary squad of 89 players for the U-23 national team trials in preparation for the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

All selected players are instructed to report to the ANFA Complex, Satdobato on Monday, July 7, 2025, at 6:00 AM with full playing kits for the selection process.

The list includes rising stars like forward Aaron Thapa, the hyped youngster making headlines for his potential, and Samir Tamang, another promising name in attack. Several youth players from age-level teams have also been called up, emphasizing ANFA's long-term development strategy.

🔢 Position-wise Breakdown of the 89 Players:

• 🧤 Goalkeepers (GK): 13

• 🧠 Central Midfielders (CM): 27

• 🛡️ Defenders (CB, RB, LB): 24

• 🎯 Forwards (FW): 25

Nepal is drawn into Group K in the AFC U-23 Qualifiers alongside host Tajikistan, Philippines, and Syria. The qualifiers are structured into 11 groups of four teams. Each group plays round-robin matches at centralized venues, and the 11 group winners along with the four best runners-up will join Saudi Arabia (host) in the final tournament.

This selection represents a major step as Nepal builds toward competing on Asia’s U-23 stage.

Full List of 89 Players Called for Nepal U-23 National Team Trials

🧤 Goalkeepers (13):

1. Krishal Moktan

2. Jyarath Sheikh

3. Amit Tamata

4. Robin Bogoti

5. Bishal KC

6. Atip Sherstha

7. Sarin GC

8. Bibek Magar

9. Tohan Sherstha

10. Kushal Giri

11. Safal Timilsina

12. Yogesh Dhimal

13. Amar B. Newar

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🧠 Central Midfielders (27):

1. Saroj Darlami

2. Lakshu Thapa

3. Krishna Ale

4. Om Prakash Chudhary

5. Bikram Gautam

6. Sanjeev Lama

7. Arun Shah

8. Janma Jaya Dhami

9. Rojal Dahal

10. Pemba Lama

11. Alik Sherstha

12. Asish Sonam

13. Prasan Gurung

14. Managya Nakarmi

15. Rohit Subba

16. Pujan Thapa

17. Abinash Thapa

18. Abhi Syangtan

19. Prashant Laxaham

20. Deepesh Gurung

21. Michal Kharbuja

22. Arun Meche

23. Ashish Rai

24. Sujat Dandol

25. Bikram Dong

26. Pradip Lamsal

27. Mukunda Kumar Neura

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🛡️ Defenders (24):

🧱 Center Backs (CB) – 11:

1. Semanta Thapa

2. Ashwin Ghorasaini

3. Bikram Tamang

4. Sankar Tharu

5. Aush Timalsina

6. Bishal Nepali

7. Nishan Raj Lawot

8. Nigma Ghising

9. Swoyam Sherstha

10. Norbu Lama

11. Norbu Tamang

🔁 Right Backs (RB) – 7:

1. Ram Thapa

2. Dipak Thapa Magar

3. Bipan Sherstha

4. Anish Pariyar

5. Abhishek Waiba

6. Mohit Gurung

7. Asish Tamrakar

🔁 Left Backs (LB) – 6:

1. Sabin Ghimire

2. Sudip KC

3. Seisan Dani

4. Gaurav Sherstha

5. Roshan Tamang

6. Karan Tamang

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🎯 Forwards (25):

1. Nirajan Dhami

2. Sujan Dangol

3. Bigyan Khadka

4. Niroj Chaudhary

5. Sujan Magar

6. Niraj Karki

7. Sabin Lungeli

8. Milan Tamang

9. Anil Bomjom

10. Bijya Urau

11. Nischya Thapa

12. Dikesh Lama

13. Rohan Khadgi

14. Mohit Gurung

15. Shyrab Lo Tamang

16. Dharbndra Kunwar

17. Dibya Bikram Chudhary

18. Aayush Kunwar

19. Samir Tamang

20. Greman Sherstha

21. Nirajan Malla

22. Asok Darlami

23. Shiv Chaulagain

24. Dipesh Chamling Rai

25. Aaron Thapa