‘Zambia defender Margaret Belemu has revealed that the Copper Queens’ first priority at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is to secure qualification for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup, insisting that achieving that milestone will lay the foundation for a serious title challenge.
As one of Africa’s fastest-rising women’s football nations, Zambia heads into the continental championship with growing expectations following an impressive run in recent years, including a historic appearance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, the experienced right-back disclosed that the team has already begun an intensive training camp and played several warm-up matches as preparations gather momentum.
“Our first target is to qualify for the World Cup. Once we achieve that, then we can focus fully on winning the WAFCON title,” Belemu said.
The defender explained that the technical crew has placed significant emphasis on ensuring the squad reaches peak condition before the tournament, with every player fully aware of the challenge awaiting them in the group stage.
Belemu believes Zambia’s previous World Cup experience has given the squad greater confidence and motivation to compete with Africa’s elite nations once again.
“We’ve already experienced playing at the World Cup in 2023, and we want to be there again. That experience has motivated us to work even harder for this tournament,” she added.
The Copper Queens have emerged as one of the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, led by stars such as Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji, whose exploits in Europe and the United States have elevated Zambia’s profile on the global stage. Their third-place finish at the 2022 WAFCON also confirmed the country’s rapid rise in women’s football.
With the 2026 WAFCON serving as the qualifying tournament for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup, every knockout-stage match will carry added significance as teams battle not only for continental glory but also for coveted places on football’s biggest stage.
For Belemu and her teammates, the ambition is clear—return to the World Cup first, then write another chapter in Zambia’s remarkable rise by challenging for their first-ever African title.
