The 2026 edition will feature 16 teams for the first time, expanded from 12, and will take place across five venues in Rabat (three) and Casablanca (two). The 16 teams are divided into four groups of four teams each.
Zambia, who pitched camp in Zambia to prepare for the tournament, have already touched down in Morocco.
Zambia departed Algiers’ Houari Boumediene International Airport at 20h50 aboard a chartered flight which they shared with the Algerian national team.
Playing their last friendly Zambia created better chances for long spells in the first half but failed to convert before Algeria’s Naili Nouhed struck the decisive goal in the 84th minute to hand the hosts victory.
Kundananji came close to scoring
The Copper Queens settled into the match quickly and immediately created attacking threats through captain Barbra Banda, who kept the Algerian defence under pressure.
Rachael Kundananji came closest to opening the scoring in the 21st minute after bursting into the box, but her powerful shot crashed against the crossbar.
Algeria responded with a chance of their own six minutes later, only for Bethi Melissa to send her effort wide with only Hazel Nali to beat.
The Copper Queens continued to push before the break and struck the woodwork for a second time in the 31st minute when Racheal Nachula rattled the crossbar from inside the penalty area.
Coach Nora Hauptle made several changes after the break, bringing on Ochumba Oseke Lubanji, Kabange Mupopo, Eneless Phiri, Evarine Katongo, Margaret Gondwe and Saliya Mwanza as Zambia looked for fresh energy.
The substitutions nearly paid off eight minutes into the second half when Kabange Mupopo found the back of the net from a Saliya Mwanza pass, but the assistant referee flagged it for offside.
Mapepa also came close after being brilliantly set up by Mupopo on the hour mark but shot wide. Algeria eventually found the breakthrough six minutes from time through Nouhed after a well-worked move.
Zambia had a late chance to rescue the match after Grace Chanda won a penalty, but Oseke Lubanji struck the post before the rebound was cleared, leaving the Copper Queens to suffer a narrow defeat.
Despite the result, Head Coach Nora Hauptle remained encouraged by what she saw.
Speaking during a post-match interview, Hauptle said the biggest victory was completing the match without injuries after several foreign-based players only linked up with the squad in Algiers late.
“The best thing after today's game is that all the players are healthy, which is the most important thing for us,” said Hauptle.
“Our internationals arrived yesterday with fatigue, so they did not train. That is normal. For me, the main objective today was to keep our players healthy.”
Hauptle said the team will now shift its full attention to recovery before opening its WAFCON campaign and urged Zambians to rally behind the Copper Queens.
“For me, it is positive. Now it is about recovering and getting focused. I am very happy that all the players are now here,” added the Swiss tactician.
“Next Tuesday, the game will be live on TV, so we expect support from home. Maybe some Zambians will also be in the stadium. Don't worry, the Copper Queens are on a mission and are ready to go.”
Zambia focused on the WAFCON
Zambia captain Barbra Banda, who plays for Orlando Pride, remained upbeat and insisted the defeat has not changed the team's focus ahead of the continental showpiece.
“Our morale in the team is still high. We are going to the WAFCON and our mentality has not been disturbed by this friendly game. Instead, we are focused on the WAFCON.
“As a team, we are going there focused and ready to work hard in order to go past the group stage.”
Banda added: “All in all, we have learnt something as a team and we will not lose focus. We are going to the WAFCON to qualify for the World Cup and probably win the WAFCON.”
Banda said that the Copper Queens expect a highly competitive tournament but believe they are ready for the challenge.
“Every team has improved and no team is going there just to participate. Every team is going there to compete. It is a tough group, but all in all, as a team, we are going there with full force,” added Banda.
Zambia are in Group C alongside Nigeria, Egypt and Malawi with the Copper Queens’ group opener against Egypt set for Tuesday July 28th, 2026 at 18h00.
The competition will kick off on Sunday, July 26th, at (17:00 GMT) at the Rabat Olympic Stadium, where Algeria will face Senegal in the opening match.
Hosts Morocco will begin their campaign against Kenya at 21:00 (20:00 GMT) at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
Some of the key pool-stage matches include the Group C meeting between Nigeria and Zambia on August 1st, while Ghana and Cameroon will face each other in a major Group D fixture on August 2nd.
The winners of the quarter-finals will advance, while the teams eliminated at that stage will remain in contention for places in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 play-offs.
Zambia squad for WAFCON
Goalkeepers: Chishala Mfunte (Green Buffaloes), Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows), Hazel Nali (Zesco Ndola Girls).
Defenders: Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Margaret Gondwe, Rachael Nachula (both Green Buffaloes), Blessing Maluba (Nchanga Queens), Siomala Mapepa (Altaraji Club-Saudi Arabia), Saliya Mwanza, Lushomo Mweemba, Martha Tembo (both Hakkarigucu Spor-Turkey).
Midfielders: Susan Banda (Red Arrows), Grace Chanda (Queretaro-Mexico), Hellen Chanda (Eastern Flames-Saudi Arabia), Rhodah Chileshe (Indeni), Avell Chitundu (Zesco Ndola Girls), Evarine Katongo (Ra'anana Women's FC-Israel), Ireen Lungu (Sichua-China).
Strikers: Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride-USA), Prisca Chilufya (Angel City-USA), Mercy Chipasula, Eneless Phiri (both Zesco Ndola Girls), Rachael Kundananji (Bay FC), Kabange Mupopo (Liaoning Shenbel Hefeng-China), Ochuma Oseke (Quanzhou Naan).
