World Cup (Q): Zambia government suspends national team’s funding

The Zambian government has reportedly suspended its financial support to the country’s senior national football team following its disastrous 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.

In a statement which Pan-Africa Football has seen, the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Arts says the suspension is meant to ensure that the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is accountable on the Chipolopolo’s performance.

FULL TIME
Zambia 0-1 Niger
|55’ Anthony Sosah #WeAreChipolopopo#FIFAWCQ26#ZAMNGR pic.twitter.com/0fMKEt4bjL

— FAZ (@FAZFootball) October 12, 2025

“Despite the current financial constraints facing government, significant resources continue to be allocated to support the national team and the technical bench, including expenditure on accommodation, air tickets, winning bonuses, and a portion of the coach’s salary,” the statement reads.

“This support has been extended at a considerable cost to the tax payer, making it imperative for us to seek clear justification for its continuation, especially in the absence of commensurate results on the pitch.”

What the Zambian government wants from FAZ

The Ministry further says it wants FAZ to account for the performance of the team which bowed out of the World Cup qualification race after losing 1-0 to Niger over the weekend.

Therefore, the Ministry says it has engaged FAZ to provide a detailed explanation on the following matters:

1. Measures taken to address the team’s current poor performance and to ensure the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of football in Zambia.

2. Steps to be taken to monitor and ensure that the head coach is delivering according to the agreed terms of his contract, and

3. Reasons why government funding should not be suspended or terminated in view of the national team’s poor performance despite the substantial financial investment.”

There was no immediate reaction from FAZ to the statement, which is dated 13th October 2025. However, some media reports suggest that the association’s president Keith Mweemba has thrown his support on Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant.

The former Chelsea manager has now guided Zambia to back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations finals, and were expectations were high the team would build on that feat in the World Cup qualifiers. However, three wins and five losses saw Zambia finishing in fourth place of Group E, 11 points behind leaders Morocco.

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