Zambia Under-15 Boys National Team head coach Brian Kunsanama says his team will give its best at the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Kunsanama said the team had prepared well during it’s weeklong training camp in Lusaka and was ready to compete. He was speaking at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport yesterday shortly before the team’s departure for the tournament.
Kunsanama said part of his focus would be to allow the players to express themselves on the global stage.
“The team is ready, the boys have been pushing. We’ve been with them for at least 14 days and that gave us time to come up with the best that we can. As it is now we just want to take the boys to go and express themselves,” Kunsanama said.
The coach described the tournament as an important development platform. He welcomed FIFA’s introduction of the eight-a-side format to help young players develop through small-sided games. He said the competition would provide an opportunity to expose the players while maintaining the desire to win.
“Obviously it’s a developmental tournament so we need to expose as many; the best we can. But we have to win because winning should be part of development,”
Kunsanama also explained that the selection of players who featured in the schools’ tournament in Zimbabwe was influenced by the limited preparation time. He said the technical bench opted for players who had already worked together and had shown the quality needed for the challenge.
Zambia are in Group X alongside Comoros, Moldova, Montserrat, Tanzania and Uruguay.
The tournament will run from October 24 to 30, 2026.
FULL SQUAD
(Goalkeepers)
Abraham Bwalya – Munali Boys Secondary School
Patrick Mudenda – Billy Pro Sports
(Defenders)
Moses Mushota – Barotse Crocs
Maybin Phiri – Mockved
Thomson Mwashilindji – Young Crocs
(Midfielders)
Moses Munkombwe – Munali Boys Secondary School
Adrian Kasanda – Mpelembe Secondary School
Jabulani Nyirenda – Arakan Secondary School
Peter Mwansa – Mahatma Gandhi
Chrispin Katoba – Kine Primary School
(Strikers)
Benson Bwalya – Tunduya Primary School
Samuel Musonda – Sporting Lusaka
Maksen Msimuko – Young Crocs
