Chipolopolo and Leicester City striker Patson Daka is looking forward to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after helping Zambia secure a spot at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) next year.

Daka, who finished the AFCON qualifiers as the joint second-highest scorer with five goals in six games, believes his country can qualify for the World Cup.

This follows a successful AFCON qualifier campaign in which they finished first, ahead of Ivory Coast. Comoros and Lesotho were also in Group H, from which Zamnbia earned four and six points, respectively.

The Chipolopolo’s last appearance at AFCON was in 2015 when they were knocked out of the group stage.

This will be the 18th appearance at the finals for the 2012 AFCON champions, who made their debut in 1974.

Daka is optimistic ahead of the World Cup qualifiers

The 24-year-old believes that the AFCON qualifiers have set a standard for them ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.

“We know how big of an event the World Cup is and how much we want to go there. We have missed out so many times….. And this is a great opportunity for all of us,” he told FAZ TV.

Zambia is drawn in Group E alongside Morocco, Congo, Tanzania, Niger, and Eritrea.

They will open their campaign at home against Congo-Brazzaville on matchday one before going to Niger on matchday two on November 14 and 21, 2023, respectively.

“We know that impossible is nothing; everything is possible,” added Daka. “We have all the ability and quality to qualify for the World Cup and give everything like we did in the AFCON Qualifiers.”

The 2017 CAF Young African Footballer of the Year Award winner, who has yet to play for his club this season, will also look to reclaim his place in the starting lineup for the Foxes.

Despite strong links to AFC Bournemouth and AC Milan, who both attempted to sign him in the previous transfer window, his efforts to make a move failed on deadline day.