Kundananji left out as Zambia depart for FIFA Women’s Series

Bay FC forward Racheal Kundananji, Eneless Phiri (Zesco United), Avell Chitundu (Zesco United) and Xiomara Mapepa (Altaraji) have been ruled out of Zambia women’s national team squad for the FIFA Series tournament.

The Copper Queens have left for Cuiaba, Brazil for the FIFA Series tournament where they will play Canada, Brazil and South Korea.

Note: Bay FC forward Racheal Kundananji, Eneless Phiri (Zesco United), Avell Chitundu (Zesco United) and Xiomara Mapepa (Altaraji) have been ruled out due to injuries while Evarine Katongo will not make the trip due to the war situation in Israel. pic.twitter.com/7LzaEaMpeB

— Dennis Mabuka (@DennisMabu4694) April 6, 2026

In the absence of head coach Nora Hauptle, assistant coach Charles Haluboono left with the local contingent while foreign based players will join later.

Zambia departed via Johannesburg

The team left aboard South African Airlines via Johannesburg on Monday and will connect to São Paulo before taking the final leg into Cuiaba.

Zambia will face Canada, Brazil and South Korean during the FIFA Series which runs from April 11-18. The Copper Queens are using this tournament as part of preparations for the Women Africa Cup of Nations.

The FIFA Series 2026 brings together national teams with a wide range of competitive profiles, reinforcing its development-driven design. On the men’s side, participating teams span the full breadth of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, from established teams such as Australia (men’s side, ranked 26th) to emerging football nations like the US Virgin Islands (ranked 207th).

FIFA Series continues to support holistic football

For the women’s, the Series will involve teams ranked as highly Brazil (ranked 7th) all the way to Turks and Caicos (ranked 194th). This diversity reflects FIFA’s commitment to creating meaningful international bouts for representative teams of Member Associations at all stages of development.

Five men’s national teams participating in the FIFA Series 2026 – Australia, Cabo Verde, Curaçao, New Zealand and Uzbekistan – have also qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, further highlighting the competitive relevance of the initiative alongside its development objectives.

The FIFA Series also continues to support holistic football development off the pitch. Hosting and Participating Member Associations benefit from hands-on experience in event delivery, operational planning, referee development and competition organisation, mirroring the conditions of major international tournaments and strengthening capacity across multiple functional areas.

Zambia full squad;

GOALKEEPERS
1. Hazel Nali
2. Catherine Musonda
3. Mwila Mufunte

DEFENDERS
4. Margaret Belemu
5. Rachel Nachula
6. Martha Tembo
7. Saliya Mwanza
8. Lushomo Mweemba
9. Memory Nthala
10. Margret Gondwe
11. Agness Musesa
12. Blessings Maluba

MIDFIELDERS
13. Susan Banda
14. Rhodah Chileshe
15. Esther Muchinga
16. Ireen Lungu
17. Grace Chanda
18. Mary Mambwe
19. Maweta Chilenga
20. Natasha Nanyangwe

FORWARDS
21. Barbra Banda
22. Prisca Chilufya
23. Mercy Chipasula
24. Agness Phiri
25. Ngosa Chabwe