Zambia’s senior women’s national team, the Copper Queens, have been drawn against Uganda women’s national football team in the second round of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers.
The two-legged tie is scheduled to be played between October 5 and 13, 2026, marking the beginning of Zambia’s qualification campaign. The Copper Queens enter the competition at this stage after being among 29 teams exempted from the first round due to their superior FIFA ranking, highlighting their growing stature in African women’s football.
The winner between Zambia and Uganda will progress to the third round of the qualifiers, where a tougher test awaits. Should the Copper Queens advance, they will face either Ghana women’s national football team or the winner of the tie between Mauritius and Djibouti, setting up a potentially challenging pathway deeper into the competition.
The qualification process for the 2028 Summer Olympics will consist of five rounds, with only two African nations earning a place at the global showpiece. This makes every fixture crucial as teams battle through a highly competitive qualification structure with very limited slots available.
Zambia will be aiming to build on their recent Olympic history, having featured at both the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the Paris 2024 Olympics. These appearances have elevated the profile of the team and set a strong foundation for another qualification push.
With the stakes higher than ever, the Copper Queens will need to combine experience and emerging talent to navigate the demanding qualification campaign. The tie against Uganda presents an early test of their readiness as they look to once again represent Africa on the Olympic stage.
Conclusion
The road to Los Angeles 2028 is now clearly defined for the Copper Queens, but it will be anything but straightforward. Starting with Uganda, Zambia must overcome multiple hurdles in a tightly contested qualification race where only the very best will advance. With their recent Olympic pedigree, the Copper Queens will be confident—but they will need to deliver consistently to keep their dream alive.
