Sports Minister Believes Zambia Has Strong Chance to Qualify for World Cup

Sports Minister Elvis Nkandu says the increased number of slots for African countries to participate at the FIFA World in 2026 has elevated Zambia’s chances of qualifying to its maiden FIFA World Cup.

The Confederation of African Football –CAF– has announced that FIFA’s expanded World Cup format now means that nine African teams will represent the Continent at the World Cup from the previous five. Nkandu further says the move has increased the continent’s chances of winning the biggest trophy in Football.

In an interview with ZNBC Sports in Lusaka, Nkandu said FIFA has heard Africa’s cry in expanding the number of teams to favourably compete for top honours.

According to CAF, the new format will involve all the 54 Member Associations who will be divided into nine groups of six teams out of which, the top teams in each group will qualify to the biggest sporting event. Meanwhile, the best four runners-up from each group will play in a CAF play-off tournament that will see the winner further compete against teams from different continents for a slot at the World Cup.

ZNBC