Zambia Government Suspends Funding For National Team

Zambia Government Suspends Funding For National Team

 Sampson Adedeji

The Zambian government has suspended all financial support for the national football team with immediate effect, following the Chipolopolo’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

In an official statement on Monday, the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Arts expressed deep disappointment over the team’s poor showing in the qualifiers, where Zambia finished fourth in Group E with just nine points from eight matches.

The government emphasized that future funding will only resume once the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) presents a comprehensive roadmap aimed at restructuring and revitalizing the country's football system.

“The continued decline in our national team’s performance is unacceptable. 

We demand a clear and actionable plan to rebuild the sport from the grassroots level,” the statement read.

The decision has sent shockwaves through the Zambian football community, raising uncertainty about upcoming international fixtures and preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

FAZ officials are expected to meet with government representatives later this week to discuss the way forward and present a recovery strategy.