 | ||||
| Nickname | Copper Queens[1][2] | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Association | FAZ | |||
| Confederation | CAF (Africa) | |||
| Sub-confederation | COSAFA (Southern Africa) | |||
| Head coach | Nora Häuptle | |||
| Captain | Barbra Banda | |||
| FIFA code | ZAM | |||
| ||||
| FIFA ranking | ||||
| Current | 64 1 (11 December 2025)[3] | |||
| Highest | 62 (August – December 2024) | |||
| Lowest | 131 (October – December 2007) | |||
| First international | ||||
 South Africa 5–3Zambia  (South Africa; 5 November 1994) | ||||
| Biggest win | ||||
 Zambia 15–0Mauritius  (Ibhayi, South Africa; 1 August 2019) | ||||
| Biggest defeat | ||||
Zambia 3–10Netherlands  (Rifu, Japan; 21 July 2021) | ||||
| World Cup | ||||
| Appearances | 1 (first in2023) | |||
| Best result | Group stage (2023) | |||
| Africa Cup of Nations | ||||
| Appearances | 5 (first in1995) | |||
| Best result | Third place (2022) | |||
| Summer Olympics | ||||
| Appearances | 2 (first in2020) | |||
| Best result | Group stage (2020,2024) | |||
TheZambia women's national association football team representsZambia inassociation football, participating in qualifying tournaments for the FIFA Women's World Cup and other African-based competitions. NicknamedCopper Queens. It made its debut in the2023 FIFA Women's World Cup,[4] becoming the first landlocked nation in Africa to qualify for a senior World Cup in either men's or women's soccer.
Zambia became an official women's national team in 1983, and was one of the first African women's national football teams to exist on the continent.[5][6]
In 2003, the kit for the team was provided as a result of a sponsorship deal withUmbro who first agreed to sponsor theZambia national football team.[7] The team's official kit colours include green shorts, a green jersey and green socks.[8][9]
Some matches were played in 1994, for qualification for1995 FIFA Women's World Cup. Zambia played in a 5 November 1994 World Cup qualifier against South Africa in South Africa, where Zambia lost 3–5. In the return match inLusaka, Zambia on 17 November 1994, Zambia lost with a score of 2–6.[10][11][12]
Between these games and 2001, it did not play in any FIFA sanctioned matches.[11] It participated in the 2002 COSAFA Cup women's tournament inHarare, Zimbabwe. It was in Group A. It beat theMalawi women's national football team 8–0 on 20 April. It played againstZimbabwe women's national football team on 22 April where Zambia lost 0–4. On 23 April, it beatLesotho women's national football team 3–1. It finished second in its group. On 26 April, it lost toSouth Africa women's national football team 1–3 in the semifinals. It went on to beatMozambique women's national football team 1–0 in the third place game, with Julia Siame scoring the only goal in the 60th minute.[10][11][13] Later that year, in a regional qualifying match for a different tournament, on 21 September inLusaka, Zambia against South Africa, the team lost 1–4 after being down 0–2 at the half. In the return match in South Africa on 12 October 2002, it lost 0–4.[10][11] By 2003, it was ranked the 106th best women's national team by FIFA.[14]
In 2004, its rank dropped to 113.[14] That year, the team was coached by Cephias Katongo, who was coaching theZambia national under-17 football team and a top-level club team at the same time.[15] In 2004,Zimbabwe women's national football team had committed to play a match against Zambia before Zimbabwe took on Tanzania in Dar e Salaam and this did not happen because of organizational problems byZimbabwe Football Association.[16]
In 2005, the team's FIFA ranking was unchanged and remained at 113,[14] with it playing in no FIFA recognised matches.[11] The following year, in 2006, Zambia world ranking dropped down to 126.[14] That year, the head coach was George Chikokola.[17] In March 2006, the team played a home and away set of against Congo DR. On Saturday, 11 March 2006 in a game played in Lubumbashi, Congo DR won 3–0 against Zambia. Congo DR led 1–0 at the half.[11] On Saturday, 25 March 2006 in a game played in Chingola, Zambia lost 2–3, a score that remained the same from half time, against Congo DR.[11]
In 2006,Zambia hosted a regionalCOSAFA women's football tournament. Originally nine countries were scheduled to participate but Mozambique withdrew and the number was cut to eight.South Africa won the tournament and Zambia came out as third place winner.[18][19]
The 2006 team had 20 players. The regional COSAFA championship team was announced on 18 August 2006.[17] The 2006 Confederation of Southern African Football Associations women's tournament was held inLusaka. It was in Group A. On 22 August, it tied Namibia 2–2 withNoria Sosala scoring in the 15th minute and Charity Mpongo scoring in the 30th minute for Zambia. It beat Swaziland 7–0 on 24 August, with Charity Mpongo scoring in the 23rd, 43rd, 64th and 67th minutes,Susan Banda scoring in the 37th minute, Gift Lishika scoring in the 41st minute, and Martha Kapombo scoring in the 56th minute for Zambia. It finished in the top of its group. On 25 August in a semifinal against Namibia, it tied 1–1 with Martha Kapombo scoring its only goal in the 90th minute. It lost the game in an overtime shoot out by 4–5. On 26 August, it beat Zimbabwe 2–1 to finish third withNoria Sosala scoring both goals in the 67th and 75th minutes.[11][13]
2007 saw an improvement in rank for Zambia, moving up 9 sports to 117 best team in the world.[14] That year, the team was supported to participate in the 2007 African Games qualifying tournament, opening against theMozambique women's national football team and Zambia withdrew from the tournament before it played a single game.[20] Later that year, on Sunday, 2 December 2007 in a game played in Harare, Zimbabwe won 3–1 against Zambia. The game was part of the 2008 African Women Championship.[11][21] In the return match on Sunday, 16 December 2007 in a game played in Lusaka, Zambia won 2–1 against Zimbabwe.[11][21]
In 2008, the team's ranking again went up, this time to 110.[14] The played 1 FIFA recognised match on Sunday, 4 May 2008 in a game played inBenguela against Botswana. Zambia won 4–2, holding on from a 3–1 score at the half.[11] In 2009, FIFA ranked the country as the 92 in the world.[14] That year, it did not play any FIFA recognised matches.[11] The team's world ranking fell in 2010 to 122.[14] That year, it played in 2 FIFA recognised matches.[11] The first was on Saturday, 2 October 2010 in a game played inLobatse against Botswana, which Zambia won 4–1, holding on to a 3–0 half time lead.[11] The second game was on Saturday, 23 October 2010 in a game played inLusaka. Zambia won 2–1 against Botswana holding on to a 1–0 half time lead.[11]
Zambia team's rank fell in 2011, this time to 125th best in the world.[14] It did not make it into the final group qualification round for the CAF region that fought it out to represent Africa in the World Cup.[22] In January, the team played a pair of games against South Africa. It lost the 15 January game in Lusaka 1–2, going down with a score of 0–0 at the half. It lost the 29 January game inUmlazi 0–3 after being down 0–1 at the half.[11] Later that year, it played 3 games inHarare against South Africa, Tanzania and Botswana. On Saturday, 2 July, South Africa won 4–1 against Zambia.[11] On Sunday, 3 July, Zambia won 4–1 against Tanzania.[11] On Tuesday, 5 July, Botswana lost 1–4 against Zambia.[11] The country did not have a team competing at the 2011 All Africa Games.[23]Going into the 2012 season, the team coach is Enala Phiri-Simbeye, a woman[24][9] with Deborah Chisanga serving as the team's skipper.[25] On 14 January 2012, it played a game against Malawi that it won 7–0 after being ahead 4–0 at the half. The game was part of the CAF African Women's Championship and was played in the first round and played inLusaka. Prior to the start of the game, the team danced on the field and sang Chikokishi music.[24][9][11][26] Malawi beat Zambia 4–2 following a 1–0 lead at halftime in the return leg played inBlantyre, Malawi on 29 January 2012.Suzan Banda scored the second goal of the game, and the first for Zambia in the match. Mupopa Kawange scored Zambia's second goal. Zambia had a number of fans, most women, who attended the game in Malawi.[11][26][27] In March 2012, the team was ranked the 126th best in the world and the 19th best in CAF.[28]
In theAfrican qualifiers for the2020 Olympics, it defeatedCameroon in the final round and qualified for the Olympics for the first time.[29] In its Olympics debut, it experienced a 3–10 loss to theNetherlands, the highest-scoring women's soccer match in Olympics history.[30]
For the2012 Summer Olympics, there are no age restrictions for players,[31] and Zambia has opted to qualify with a U20/U23 side.[32][33] Zambia competed in the qualifying tournament in an effort to represent the country at the 2012 Summer Olympics. The qualification tournament started in 2010. The team was coached by Enala Phiri-Simbeye. During its campaign, it beat theBotswana women's national football team 4–1 inGaborone and beat it 2–1 in Lusaka. The performance of the team earned praise from women's groups inside the country.[32][33] In January 2011, Zambia had to face South Africa in the qualifying tournament for the Olympics. The squad named to play against South Africa included goalkeepers Mirriam Katamanda, Ennie Matukuta, Defenders Meya Banda, Verocia Chiluba, Jessica Chabota, Mulai Wilombe, Deborah Chisenga, Veronica Chisala, MidfieldersMisozi Zulu,Susan Banda, Etas Banda, Fostina Sakala,Kabange Mupopo, Rachel Chisha, Chisala Musonda, and Strikers Mwila Bowa,Noria Sosala, Gift Lisaka and Ednasha Mambwe. Chiluba is the second daughter of Zambia's president.[34]
Coached by Enala Simbeya, Zambia's U23 team participated in the 2011All-Africa Games qualifiers. They played a pair of games against Zimbabwe. On Sunday, 13 February 2011 in a game played at theRufaro Stadium inHarare, Zimbabwe won 1–0 against Zambia, overcoming a half time score of 0–0.[11][35] On the return leg played on Sunday, 27 February 2011 in a game played atNkoloma Stadium inLusaka, Zambia lost 1–3 to Zimbabwe, scoring a goal in the second half with the first half ending with Zambia down 0–3. Simbeya did not name their 18-woman team until a day before the game. The loss eliminated them, with Zimbabwe going on to play Angola.[11][35]
In 2008, a team represented the country at theHomeless World Cup. In round robin play, it won every game and were Crowned Champions. The tournament was held in Australia Melbourne. It beat Paraguay 6–1, Uganda 6–1, Kyrgyzstan 5–4, Liberia 4–1, Cameroon 17–0, Australia 18–1 andColombia 10–1. In the half finals, it beat Kyrgyzstan 10–0. In the final, it beat Liberia 7–1.[36]
Zambia qualified for the2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, making the country the first landlocked nation in Africa to qualify for a senior World Cup in either gender.[37] By reaching the semi-finals of the2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations it secured qualification.[38] It was in Group C along with Spain, Japan and Costa Rica. Its opening match against Japan ended in a 5-0 defeat. Its second match was a loss to Spain by the same 5-0 score, leading to their elimination from the Group Stage alongside Costa Rica.[39] Their final game, which was played against Costa Rica, ended with a 3-1 win to Zambia[40] as they placed third within Group C on three points. In this gameBarbra Banda scored Zambia's first World Cup goal, which was also the 1,000th goal in Women's World Cup history.[40]
Win Draw Loss Void and postponed Fixture
v
Malawi| 23 FebruaryFriendly | Zambia | 2–0 | Malawi | Lusaka, Zambia |
| 11:00 UTC+2 |
| Report | Stadium:REIZ Arena |
v Malawi| 25 FebruaryFriendly | Zambia | 2–3 | Malawi | Lusaka, Zambia |
| 11:30 UTC+2 |
| Report | Stadium:REIZ Arena |
v
Thailand| 5 AprilYongchuan International Tournament | Zambia | 2–3 | Thailand | Chongqing, China |
| 19:35 UTC+8 |
| Stadium:Yongchuan Sports Center |
v
Uzbekistan| 8 AprilYongchuan International Tournament | Zambia | 4–3 | Uzbekistan | Chongqing, China |
| --:-- UTC+8 | Stadium:Yongchuan Sports Center |
v Zambia| 31 MayNations Challenge | Botswana | 1–1 | Zambia | Pretoria, South Africa |
| 15:00 UTC+2 | Ontlametse 80' | Report | B. Banda 63' | Stadium:Lucas Moripe Stadium |
v Zambia| 3 JuneNations Challenge | South Africa | 2–0 | Zambia | Pretoria, South Africa |
| 15:00 UTC+2 |
| Stadium:Lucas Moripe Stadium |
v Zambia| 5 JulyWAFCON 2024 GS | Morocco | 2–2 | Zambia | Rabat, Morocco |
| 21:00 | Report |
| Stadium:Olympic Stadium Referee:Shamirah Nabadda (Uganda) |
v
Senegal| 9 JulyWAFCON 2024 GS | Zambia | 3–2 | Senegal | Mohammedia, Morocco |
| 17:00 |
| Report | Stadium:El Bachir Stadium Referee:Vincentia Amédomé (Togo) |
v
DR Congo| 12 JulyWAFCON 2024 GS | Zambia | 1–0 | DR Congo | Mohammedia, Morocco |
| 20:00 | Kundananji 9' | Report | Stadium:El Bachir Stadium Referee: Josephine Wanjiku (Kenya) |
v Zambia| 18 JulyCAF WAFCON 2024 QF | Nigeria | 5–0 | Zambia | Casablanca,Morocco |
| 18:00 | Report | Stadium:Larbi Zaouli Stadium Referee:Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco) |
v Zambia| 22 October2026 WAFCON qualifying | Namibia | 2–4 | Zambia | Johannesburg (South Africa) |
| 15:00 UTC+2 | Report (FIFA) |
| Stadium:Dobsonville Stadium Referee:Tatu Malogo (Tanzania) |
v Namibia| 26 October2026 WAFCON qualifying | Zambia | 3–0 | Namibia | Ndola, Zambia |
| 15:00 UTC+2 |
| Report (FIFA) | Stadium:Levy Mwanawasa Stadium Referee:Dorsaf Ganouati (Tunisia) | |
| Note: Zambia won 7–2 on aggregate. | ||||
v Zambia| 30 November3 Nations Tournament | Malawi | 1–1 | Zambia | Lilongwe,Malawi |
| 15:00 | Kabzere 56' | Nanyangwe 65' | Stadium:Bingu National Stadium |
v
Zimbabwe| 2 December3 Nations Tournament | Zambia | 3–1 | Zimbabwe | Lilongwe,Malawi |
| 15:00 | Ncube 31' | Stadium:Bingu National Stadium |
v
Brazil| April2026 FIFA Women's Series | Zambia | v | Brazil | Brazil |
v
Canada| April2026 FIFA Women's Series | Zambia | v | Canada | Brazil |
v
South Korea| April2026 FIFA Women's Series | Zambia | v | South Korea | Brazil |
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach |  Nora Häuptle[41] |
| Assistant coach | Philippe Hasler |
Charles Bwale (2014)Albert Kachinga (2014–2018)[42]Bruce Mwape (2018–2025)Nora Häuptle(2025-)Caps and goals accurate up to and including 13 July 2025.
The following players had been called up to a squad in 12 months preceding the above draft.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Annie Namonje | (2000-04-26)26 April 2000 (age 25) | - | - | ZESCO Ndola Girls | v. Nigeria, 18 July 2025 |
| GK | Eunice Sakala | (2002-05-23)23 May 2002 (age 23) | 0 | Nkwazi | v. Nigeria, 18 July 2025 | |
| GK | Ngambo Musole | (1998-06-26)June 26, 1998 (age 27) | 2 | 0 | Green Buffaloes | v. Nigeria, 18 July 2025 |
| DF | Jackline Chomba | (1996-04-06)6 April 1996 (age 29) | - | - | ZISD | v. Uzbekistan, 8 April 2025 |
| DF | Matildah Mukunda | | v. Uzbekistan, 8 April 2025 | |||
| DF | Esther Siamfuko | (2004-08-08)August 8, 2004 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | Green Buffaloes | v. Nigeria, 18 July 2025 |
| DF | Xiomara Mapepa | (2002-06-04)June 4, 2002 (age 23) | 10 | 3 |  Beijing Jingtan | v. Namibia, 26 October 2025 |
| DF | Pauline Zulu | (2004-10-03)October 3, 2004 (age 21) | 3 | 0 | ZANACO | v. Namibia, 26 October 2025 |
| MF | Abigail Munkombwe | - | - | | v. Malawi, 25 February 2025 | |
| FW | Lubandji Ochumba | (2001-07-01)1 July 2001 (age 24) | - | - | Red Arrows | v. Malawi, 25 February 2025 |
| MF | Mapalo Maluba | Marvellous | v. South Africa,3 June 2025 | |||
| MF | Rhoda Chileshe | (1998-05-08)May 8, 1998 (age 27) | 6 | 0 | Indeni Roses [fr] | v. Nigeria, 18 July 2025 |
| MF | Grace Chilenga | | v. Namibia, 26 October 2025 | |||
| FW | Fridah Mukoma | (2006-10-13)October 13, 2006 (age 19) | 4 | 1 | Beijing Jingtan | v. Nigeria, 18 July 2025 |
| FW | Barbra Banda(Captain) | (2000-03-20)March 20, 2000 (age 25) | 24 | 28 |  Orlando Pride | v. Nigeria, 18 July 2025 |
| FW | Ngosa Chabwe | | v. Namibia, 26 October 2025 | |||
INJ Injured player. | ||||||
Zambia made its World Cup debut on 22 July 2023.[43]
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Did not enter | |||||||
 1995 | Did not qualify | |||||||
| 1999 | Did not enter | |||||||
| 2003 | Did not qualify | |||||||
| 2007 | ||||||||
 2011 | Did not enter | |||||||
| 2015 | Did not qualify | |||||||
 2019 | ||||||||
  2023 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 11 | |
| 2027 | To be determined | |||||||
 2031 | ||||||||
 2035 | ||||||||
| Total | 1/12 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 11 | |
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Did not qualify | |||||||
| 2000 | Did not enter | |||||||
 2004 | ||||||||
| 2008 | ||||||||
| 2012 | Did not qualify | |||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||
 2020 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 15 | |
| 2024 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 13 | |
| 2028 | To be determined | |||||||
| 2032 | ||||||||
| Total | 2/5 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 28 | |
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Withdrew | |||||||
| 1995 | Quarter-finals | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 11 | |
| 1998 | Did not enter | |||||||
| 2000 | ||||||||
| 2002 | Did not qualify | |||||||
| 2004 | Did not enter | |||||||
| 2006 | Did not qualify | |||||||
 2008 | ||||||||
| 2010 | Did not enter | |||||||
| 2012 | Did not qualify | |||||||
| 2014 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 | |
 2016 | Did not qualify | |||||||
 2018 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | |
| 2022 | Third place | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 | |
| 2024 | Quarter-finals | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 9 | |
| Total | 5/15 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 25 | 37 | |
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Did not enter | |||||||
 2007 | ||||||||
 2011 | Did not qualify | |||||||
 2015 | Did not qualify | |||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||
| 2023 | See U-20 team | |||||||
| Total | ||||||||
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 3rd | |||||||
| 2006 | 3rd | |||||||
 2008 | ||||||||
| 2011 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 | −1 |
| 2017 | 3rd | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 18 | 9 | +2 |
| 2018 | 4th | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 2 | +2 |
| 2019 | Runners-up | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 3 | +19 |
| 2020 | 3rd | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 3 | +6 |
| 2021 | 3rd | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 2 | +9 |
| 2023 | Runners-up | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 4 | +6 |
| Total | 31 | 16 | 7 | 8 | 81 | 30 | +43 |
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Withdrew[44] | |||||||
| Total | ||||||||
Third place: (1) 2022Zambia at the FIFA Women's World Cup | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Zambia squads | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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