Copper Princesses drawn with Japan, France and Venezuela at FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup
Zambia have been drawn in Group D alongside Japan, France and Venezuela for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Morocco from October 17 to November 7.
The Copper Princesses will renew their rivalry with Japan, a side they have faced in each of their previous two appearances at the tournament. The Asian nation claimed a 4-1 victory in the group stage in the Dominican Republic in 2024 before recording a 2-0 win when the teams met again in Morocco in 2025.
Carol Kanyemba Daka’s side will open their campaign against Japan on October 18 at the Women’s Football Complex Pitch 2, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00.
They will then face South American representatives Venezuela on October 21 at Pitch 4 (18:00) before concluding their Group D fixtures against France on October 24 at 18:00.
The 2026 edition marks Zambia’s third successive appearance at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and their fourth overall, having first qualified for the tournament in Costa Rica in 2014.
Zambia secured their place in Morocco with an impressive unbeaten qualifying campaign. They defeated Rwanda 4-1 on aggregate in the opening round, overwhelmed DR Congo 7-0 over two legs in the second round, and sealed qualification with a hard-fought 3-2 aggregate victory over Ethiopia in the final qualifying round.
ZFC