Nepal snatched a last-gasp 2-2 draw against Yemen in their final match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers second round.
Debutant forwards Sanjeev Bista and Gillespijung Karki left an indelible mark, scoring their first-ever international goals for the resilient Himalayan nation. Bista’s equalizer in the 23rd minute nullified an early Yemeni penalty, and Karki’s strike in the 66th minute momentarily ignited the passion of Nepali fans.
However, heartbreak loomed as Mohammed Al-Dahi equalized for Yemen deep into stoppage time.

Despite the valiant effort, Nepal finished the group stage at the bottom with just a single point, while Yemen managed a slightly better return of five. The UAE and Bahrain, the heavyweights of Group H, booked their places in the next round of World Cup qualifiers.

Amidst the team’s spirited performance, a historic individual achievement took centre stage. Captain and goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong proudly represented the nation for the 100th time, becoming the first Nepali footballer to reach this significant milestone. Chemjong’s inspirational leadership and wealth of experience were instrumental in Nepal’s competitive stance throughout the campaign.
While the World Cup dream remains distant.