KATHMANDU, Oct 17: Nepal is set to square off against Laos in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Qualifiers today, marking a pivotal moment for Nepali football. This match, which is part of the second round of qualifiers, is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 PM as per Nepali time.
In the first stage match held in Kathmandu earlier on Thursday, Nepal and Laos played to a 1-1 draw. To advance to the second stage of the qualifiers, Nepal must secure a victory in today's encounter.
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The stakes are notably high for both teams, as the victor of this second round match will progress to the second round of the World Cup Asia qualifiers. In this stage, a total of 36 teams will participate, divided into nine groups, each consisting of four teams. Hence, the outcome of today's match holds significant implications for the future of Nepali football.
The winner of the clash between Nepal and Laos will be placed in Group H alongside UAE and Bahrain in the second round. Additionally, the winner of the first-round match between Yemen and Sri Lanka will join this group, further intensifying the competition.
