Fix grassroots to end Zambia’s World Cup wait – Malitoli

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 euphoria fades away, former Chipolopolo defender Mordon Malitoli says Zambia can still break its FIFA World Cup jinx, but only with more investment at grassroots level. Zambia has never qualified for the men’s senior World Cup despite near misses, the…

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 euphoria fades away, former Chipolopolo defender Mordon Malitoli says Zambia can still break its FIFA World Cup jinx, but only with more investment at grassroots level.

Zambia has never qualified for the men’s senior World Cup despite near misses, the most painful in 1993 when a 1-0 loss to Morocco denied the team a place at USA 1994.

Speaking to Icengelo Magazine from Nkana East, Kitwe, the former Nkana star, said the expanded 2026 tournament should motivate Zambia.

“Being Zambian it feels bad to watch the World Cup when Zambia has not qualified. Some teams there are not better than us,” Malitoli said.

“We have no grassroots worth talking about. We need proper Under-17, Under-18 and Under-20 teams to feed the senior side. We must work hard to qualify.”

The former defender, who played at the 1994, 1996 and 1998 Africa Cup, said selection and attitude would be key.

“What matters is the approach to qualifying games. Let’s take the next qualifiers seriously. It is a matter of time,” he said.

The 2026 World Cup was the 23rd edition of the tournament and the first to feature 48 teams and three host countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Meanwhile, Kitwe football administrator Sydney Chalawila says Zambia must end frequent changes in coaching and playing personnel if the Chipolopolo are to qualify for their first men’s World Cup.

Chalawila, former Kitwe United secretary general, said the team was close in quality to nations that make the finals.

“It is painful that Zambia is yet to qualify for the World Cup. We are not far from teams that qualify,” he said.

“I believe we can still qualify. We need to pull together from administration, the technical bench, players, and most importantly grassroots football.”

Zambia’s senior women, U-17 women and U-20 men have all reached World Cup finals before, but the men’s senior side has not despite coming close in 1993 and 1997.