Nepal, June 15 -- As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across North America, capturing the imagination of billions with its newly expanded 48-team format, football fever has once again gripped the globe. In Nepal, fans eagerly crowd around screens late into the night, dreaming of a day when the red and blue of the national flag might grace the sport's ultimate stage. Yet, against the backdrop of this global celebration, the reality of domestic football back home presents a stark, sobering contrast.

For over a decade, the name Anil Gurung was synonymous with the clinical, high-octane frontline of Nepali football. From his legendary 32-goal season for Brigade Boys to his stint in India's I-League, Gurung embodied the grit and ambition of a...