As 2026 unfolds, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has outlined a packed football calendar featuring club and national team commitments across multiple competitions. Fans can expect an action-packed year for Zambian football on both domestic and international stages.
CAF Inter-Club Group Stage Assignments
Zambian clubs Power Dynamos and Zesco United will represent the country in continental competitions. Power Dynamos will host Nigerian side Rivers United on January 24 in Match Day Three of the CAF Champions League Group Stage. Zesco United will face South African giants Kaizer Chiefs the following day in the CAF Confederation Cup. Reverse fixtures will take place within seven days, offering consecutive high-intensity matches for Zambian supporters.
U20 Women World Cup Qualification Campaign
The Zambia Under-20 Women’s team, known as the Young Copper Queens, will resume their World Cup qualification journey in February. They will face Uganda in a two-legged third-round tie. Zambia will travel to Uganda on February 7-8 before hosting the return leg at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium a week later. The team previously advanced past Burundi with a 4-1 aggregate victory, keeping their debut World Cup dream alive.
CAF Inter-Club Match Day Five
Power Dynamos will host Moroccan club RS Berkane on February 7, while Zesco United will host Egyptian giants Zamalek on February 8. Both matches will take place at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. The two clubs will travel for their Match Day Six fixtures the following week, continuing Zambia’s presence on the continental stage.
Futsal AFCON Qualifiers
The Zambia Futsal National Team will face Ghana in the first leg of the Morocco 2026 Futsal AFCON qualifiers on February 3-4. The return leg is scheduled for Lusaka on February 7-8. The winner over two legs will secure a spot in the continental tournament later in the year.
2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON)
The Zambia Women National Team will participate in the WAFCON from March 17 to April 3. This marks Zambia’s fifth consecutive appearance, following tournaments in 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2024 (played in 2025).
U17 Women World Cup Qualifiers
Qualifiers for the Morocco 2026 U17 FIFA World Cup will take place from April 10-12. Subsequent rounds will continue through May, June, and July, leading up to the final tournament scheduled for October and November.
Women U20 FIFA World Cup
Zambia will aim to secure its debut appearance at the U20 Women’s FIFA World Cup, set to take place in September 2026.
Cosafa Tournaments
A range of Cosafa competitions across all age groups will feature once the 2026 calendar is approved, providing development opportunities for young talent across the region.
CAF Schools AFCON
Zambia has qualified for the CAF Schools AFCON, representing the Cosafa zone in this youth-focused continental tournament.
2027 AFCON Qualifiers
The Zambia Men’s National Team, the Chipolopolo, will begin preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The tournament will be hosted jointly by Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. Zambia aims to qualify for a third consecutive AFCON after participating in the 2023 and 2025 editions. Draws for the 2027 qualifiers will be announced following the conclusion of AFCON 2026 in Morocco on January 18.
Zambian football fans can anticipate a year packed with continental club action, World Cup qualification campaigns, and major international tournaments, highlighting the country’s continued growth in both men’s and women’s football.