What Can Zambia do to Make it to a World Cup?
Zambia finished 4th in Group E of the CAF World Cup 2026 qualifying. Three wins from eight matches weren’t enough to see the Copper Bullets through to the main tournament.
Do Zambia have much of a history in football, and what can the country do to qualify for the next World Cup in 2030?
Zambia at World Cups
Although the men’s Zambia have previously qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. It was the first landlocked nation in Africa to qualify for a World Cup (either men’s or women’s). Zambia were one of several debutants in 2023, joining Haiti, Panama, Vietnam and a few countries with more established footballing cultures: Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, and Morocco.
The Zambian women’s side had a tough opening two games, losing 5-0 to Japan and 5-0 to Spain, but won their third match, beating Costa Rica 3-1.
During the men’s tournament this year, Zambian football fans and enthusiasts may turn to games like Aviator casino instead. These types of games are often hosted on the same platforms as sports markets. But if Zambia fans do choose to bet on the World Cup, they may be interested in Africa’s other competing nations: Algeria, Cape Verde (making their debut), DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia.
Of these sides, Senegal are considered by the bookmakers to most likely challenge the favourites (despite Morocco having reached the semi-finals in 2022). Anyone betting should use responsible gambling tools, widely available on licensed platforms. For anyone with a gambling problem, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) in the US offers a phoneline and live chat. There are similar organisations offering help in other nations.
African teams at World Cup 2026
As mentioned, Senegal are considered the strongest African team. That might be due to their strong qualifying campaign: in Group B, they didn’t lose a single match. With 7 wins and 3 draws (and only three conceded), Senegal progressed without a sweat. They weren’t in the toughest group, admittedly; South Sudan finished 6th without much of a fight, failing to win a match and scoring just three (to the 19 conceded).
Morocco will want to back up their strong performance four years ago, and have the players to do so. Achraf Hakimi, who was in terrific form for Paris Saint-Germain before pulling a muscle in the Champions League semi-finals, is predicted to be fit enough to make the World Cup. He will likely play behind Brahim Diaz on the right wing.
Despite the strength of these countries (and others including Egypt with Mohamed Salah, Algeria with Ibrahim Maza, and Ivory Coast with Amad Diallo), the old giants from South America and Europe are the bookies’ favourites. Spain won EURO 2024 and still look the best footballing nation; Brazil, Argentina, France and England are considered likely challengers.
What can Zambia do to make a World Cup?
Zambia’s qualifying campaign went roughly as one would expect: they got a few wins but struggled against stronger opposition, twice losing to Morocco. They also lost twice to Niger, who surprised some pundits by finishing 2nd in the group.
It was only against Morocco that Zambia lost by more than one goal, showing that a decent defence could be their platform to qualify next time.
Zambia have been able to call on experienced defenders like Dominic Chanda and Lubambo Musonda, and they have younger talents like Mathews Banda and David Hamansenya coming through.
Where are the goals?
But Zambia struggle for goals. Their top scorer, Patson Daka, finished with a decent three in total, but not enough attacking midfielders or wingers contributed. Daka had a stressful club campaign with Leicester City, who suffered back-to-back relegations. Despite his qualities, Daka was in and out of the side, coming off the bench almost as often as he started games.
If Zambia are to make the next tournament, they’ll need Daka back near his best. He’s struggled since the start of the 2024-25 season, initially having club legend Jamie Vardy ahead of him.
The striker ended a 20-month goal drought in international football with a late equaliser at the Africa Cup of Nations in December. That 1-1 draw with Mali wasn’t enough to see Zambia through to the knockouts – they drew with Comoros and then lost 3-0 to Morocco.
2027 Africa Cup of Nations
Next year’s Africa Cup of Nations will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The tournament will run from mid-June to mid-July in 2027 and feature 24 teams. Qualification will begin in September. Zambia are in Group I with Algeria, Togo, and Burundi.
2029 AFCON
Zambia may host the following AFCON. After an unsuccessful bid for the 2027 tournament, Zambia expressed its interest again. The country has never hosted the Cup.
After losing the 2027 bid, Zambia FAZ (football association) said it would require strong government support for 2029. FAZ president Andrew Kamanga said countries that had won previous bids had “presentations from the highest offices in their lands”.
AFCON hosting rights are not decided on the basis of pre-existing infrastructure, said Kamanga, but a concrete plan of how to host the tournament.
World Cup 2026 fixture