Copper Queens 5th in Africa, 64th Globally in Latest Rankings
The Zambia Women’s National Football Team have been ranked 5th in Africa and 64th in the world in the latest FIFA rankings, underlining their steady presence among the continent’s competitive sides.
On the African stage, Zambia sits behind Nigeria Women’s National Football Team (1st in Africa, 34th globally), South Africa Women’s National Football Team (2nd, 58th), Ghana Women’s National Football Team (3rd, 59th), and Morocco Women’s National Football Team (4th, 62nd).
While the ranking reflects Zambia’s progress, it also highlights the gap that still needs to be closed to compete consistently with Africa’s top-tier sides.
With qualification already secured for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026, attention now turns to preparation and long-term planning. The tournament will also serve as a pathway to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with 4 slots up for grabs.
This places increased importance on stability within the technical setup. The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the head coach position remains a critical issue that the Football Association of Zambia will need to resolve promptly.
Time is a limiting factor. Effective preparation at international level depends on early planning, structured camps, and consistent technical leadership. Zambia’s current player pool has demonstrated the capacity to compete, but performance at major tournaments is closely tied to the quality of preparation.
The objective is clear: convert potential into results.
If administrative and technical issues are addressed in a timely manner, Zambia has a realistic pathway to challenge for a second FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification. The margin for error, however, is narrow, and delays in decision-making could undermine that ambition.
