Kathmandu, April 3 -- When Pema Dolma Lama scored the first international goal for Nepal's women's team against Uzbekistan during the 1999 AFC Women's Championship in the Philippines, she did not expect women's football to reach the heights it has of late.

"It is a proud moment," Dolma told the Post. "Now the women's team is targeting the World Cup in 2031."

Football has long been Nepal's most beloved sport, capturing the nation's passion like no other. But the love accumulated through men's football is now being carried forward by women.

Still, reaching the World Cup feels like a far-fetched dream for a country like Nepal. However, according to the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), football's governing body in Nepal, steps are be...