By Bola Yapa Zed Sports Desk | 12th January 2026
Zambia’s Under-17 Women’s National Team, the Copper Princesses, have been handed a familiar yet challenging assignment after being drawn against Rwanda in the first round of the Morocco 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. The draw marks the beginning of another crucial qualification journey for Zambia’s young starlets, who are chasing a historic third consecutive appearance at the global showpiece.
Copper Princesses Begin Qualification Campaign Away in Rwanda
According to the official CAF draw, Zambia will play the first leg away to Rwanda on the weekend of April 10–12, before hosting the return leg a week later in Ndola. The two-legged encounter will determine which nation advances to the second round of the qualification process.
The Copper Princesses will be aiming to secure a positive result away from home to ease pressure ahead of the return fixture. Playing the second leg on home soil could prove decisive, as Zambia have traditionally relied on strong home support to navigate high-stakes qualifiers.
Potential Second and Third Round Opponents Identified
The winner between Zambia and Rwanda will progress to face either DR Congo or Djibouti in the second round, scheduled for May. The first leg of that round will be played between May 22–24, with the return leg slated for May 29–31.
Should Zambia successfully navigate the second round, the Copper Princesses will advance to the third and final qualifying stage. At that point, they could face the winners of either South Sudan vs Ethiopia or Malawi vs Burundi, matches expected to present even stiffer competition as the race to Morocco intensifies.
Copper Princesses Carry Strong World Cup Pedigree
Zambia enter the qualifiers with growing confidence after qualifying for back-to-back FIFA U17 Women’s World Cups. The Copper Princesses made their debut appearance at the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic before qualifying again for the 2025 edition in Morocco.
That recent success has positioned Zambia as one of Africa’s emerging forces in women’s youth football. The current qualification campaign offers another opportunity to consolidate that status and continue building a strong pipeline for the senior Copper Queens.
Morocco to Host FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Long-Term
Morocco has been confirmed as the long-term host of the five-yearly FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup tournaments, a move that aligns with the country’s broader strategy to promote sports tourism and women’s football development.
With familiarity of conditions and recent experience playing in Morocco, Zambia will be hopeful that these factors can work in their favour as they target qualification once again.
Conclusion
The draw against Rwanda presents the Copper Princesses with a clear but demanding path toward another FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup appearance. With experience from recent tournaments, a growing reputation on the continent, and home advantage in the return leg, Zambia will approach the qualifiers with belief and ambition. The journey to Morocco begins now, and the Copper Princesses will be determined to rise to the occasion once more.
