The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has secured a friendly against World champions Argentina during the upcoming FIFA international break in Buenos Aires.
Acting FAZ General Secretary Iva Lengwe confirmed the match will be played at the iconic La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Lengwe said the historic clash between Zambia and Argentina is a monumental opportunity for the Chipolopolo to compete with the very best talents in the global game.
He added FAZ will assign the Chipolopolo for the Argentina clash under the stewardship of head coach George Lwandamina while Osward Mutapa will lead a team comprising local players and some top youthful talents that will form part of the Olympics team at the Botswana 4-Nations Tournament.
We have received an invitation to play Argentina, and it is an opportunity we simply cannot pass up. When the world champions come calling, you answer,” Lengwe told FAZ Media.
“It is a clear sign of the respect Zambia has continued to earn on the global stage. However, since this fixture falls at the same time as the Four Nations Tournament, we have decided to send our local assemblage to Francistown.”
Lengwe added both squads will be selected based on performances observed during the ongoing training camp in Lusaka.
“Since we have already confirmed to FIFA that we are taking part in the Olympics, the four – nations tournament is a good platform for us to launch preparations for our Olympics team that will consist of both local and foreign – based players. The selection of both teams is expected to be thorough,” he said.
The Francistown – bound squad will leave on March 25, while departure for Bueno Aires is tentatively set for March 27.
Zambia will use the Argentina friendly and Four Nations tournament to prepare for qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations which kickoff in September. Qualifiers for the Kenya-Tanzania-Uganda AFCON 2027 will take place in rapid succession from September-November.
Argentina is the reigning men’s world champion, having won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. They are currently holders of the title until the next tournament in 2026. Brazil holds the record for the most World Cup titles with five (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002).
The Francistown – bound squad will leave on March 25 while departure for Bueno Aires is tentatively set for March 27.
Full Zambia squad:
(Goalkeepers); Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos), Christo Chitambala (Red Arrows), Victor Chabu (Nchanga Rangers), Patrick Chooma (Nkana).
(Defenders); Owen Mwamba (Mufulira Wanderers), Dominic Chanda, Khondwani Chiboni (both Power Dynamos), Yoram Chanda, (Kabwe Warriors), Tinklar Sinkala, Frederick Mwimanzi (both Zanaco), Brian Chilimina (Red Arrows), Mathews Banda (Bohemians-Czech Republic), Joseph Mulenga (Nchanga Rangers), David Hamansenya (SK Artis Brno-Czech Republic), Jonathan Kalimina (Kafue Celtic.
(Midfielders); Given Kalusa, Kelvin Mwanza (both FC Muza), Humphrey Bwembya, Francis Banda (both Kabwe Warriors), Miguel Chaiwa (Hibernian-Scotland), Joseph Liteta (Cagliari-Italy), Wilson Chisala (Zanaco), Frederick Mulambia, Owen Tembo (both Power Dynamos), David Simukonda (Cleopatra-Egypt), Lameck Banda (Lecce-Italy), Obino Chisala (El Merreikh-Sudan), Lubambo Musonda (Magdeburg-Germany).
(Forwards); Patson Daka (Leicester-England), Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha-Saudi Arabia), Kelvin Chipelu (Forest Rangers), Albert Kangwanda (Red Arrows), Pascal Phiri (Pyramids-Egypt), Chanka Zimba (Inverness, Caledonian Thistle-Scotland), Elia Mandanji (Zanaco), Kingstone Mutandwa (SV Ried-Austria), Abel Nyirongo (Atletico), Jack Lahne (Lustenua-Austria).
