Kathmandu, June 2 -- As anticipation builds for FIFA World Cup 2026, Nepal's hospitality industry finds itself caught between excitement and uncertainty.

The world's biggest football spectacle has traditionally been a boon for restaurants, pubs, sports bars and nightlife venues, drawing crowds eager to watch matches with friends over food and drinks. But this year, a challenging fixture schedule has tempered expectations among business owners, with most matches set to kick off after midnight and continue into the early hours of the morning.

For decades, the FIFA World Cup has been more than a sporting event. It has been a major economic opportunity for businesses linked to hospitality, entertainment, transportation and retail.

Across N...