SATV, Kathmandu, Mar. 14: Newly appointed Nepal national football team coach Guglielmo Arena has set his sights on building a side capable of competing for the SAFF Championship later this year.
Speaking publicly for the first time since his appointment, Arena said: “We are preparing for the competitions in 2026. Our main objective is to build a national team for the Men's SAFF Championship.”
The Italian, who arrived in Nepal more than a week ago, was formally introduced at a “Meet and Greet” organised by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) on Friday.
Arena acknowledged the need to expand Nepal’s talent pool. “We have analysed the performance of Nepali players over the past two to three years.
There are capable players, but we want to increase the pool by bringing in more young blood and build a strong team for the future.”
His first assignment will be a friendly against Hong Kong at Dasharath Stadium on 26 March, followed by an AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Laos on 31 March.
Training for both fixtures begins next week. “Supporters always expect results. We will try to deliver good performances against Hong Kong and Laos and make happy to Nepali fans,” Arena added.
Nepal have never won the SAFF Championship, with their best finish coming as runners-up in 2022.
ANFA’s Technical Director Hari Khadka said winning the regional title remains the natural target, though warned that sweeping changes cannot happen overnight.
Arena was chosen from more than 700 applicants after ANFA opened the post to international candidates.
Ten were shortlisted, then reduced to three, before the technical committee selected Arena.
Born in Switzerland, the 52-year-old Italian holds a UEFA Pro Licence and boasts over two decades of coaching experience across Africa, Asia and Europe.
He has managed clubs in Burkina Faso, Benin, Morocco, Singapore, Algeria, the UAE, Oman and China, and coached Laos’ U-23 and senior sides in 2023. Most recently, he was in charge of Maghreb de Fès in Morocco’s top division during the 2024–25 season.
