After ending 2024 without a win in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Chipolopolo players are eying a run of improved results when the matches resume this year. 

Zambia’s last victory in Group E of the qualifiers came on November 17, 2023, in a 3 – 2 home win over bottom-placed Congo Brazzaville.

In 2024, Zambia played two matches but were unfortunate to lose both [1-0 to Tanzania and 2-1 to Morocco]. 

Goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata has revealed that the team is determined to turn the corner in 2025 when the qualifiers resume. 

“It has been tough in the World Cup qualifiers, but in football nothing is impossible. We can still stage a strong finish if we move with the same determination we had in the AFCON qualifiers,” he told SportsBoom.com in an interview. 

How Zambia can qualify for the World Cup

Zambia is fourth in the group with 3 points, six behind leaders Morocco, who has played a game less. 

This year, their first World Cup qualifier game will be against Congo on March 22 before taking on Morocco in September. 

The team will then face Tanzania away in October before concluding the qualifiers against Niger that same month. 

Nsbata hopes that most players who missed out in 2024 due to injury will be fit for the qualifiers. 

“Remember, recently we had a lot of injuries in the team. I am praying that with all the key players back, we can have a good run in the World Cup qualifiers,” he said.

To qualify for the World Cup, Zambia needs to finish top of their group. Should they fail to do so, they will hope to be among the four best-ranked second-placed teams who will make it into a play-off.

The top finisher in each of the nine groups will qualify for the World Cup, but there is hope for any of the four best runners-up who will face off in two one-off semi-finals, followed by a final.

The winner of that final will compete in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament for a spot in the World Cup.