Lusaka will host the 2026 SKF Meet the World Under-16 Girls Tournament on Saturday, 18 April at R&G Arena, with six teams competing for a place at the Gothia Cup in Sweden.
The one-day event continues to serve as a major platform for grassroots girls’ football, bringing together BUSA Queens, Fearless Girls Academy FC, Atletico Lusaka Queens FC, Young Elite Ladies FC, AmeZam Tamanga Queens and Africa On The Ball Girls.
Packed schedule kicks off early
Action gets underway at 08:00 with a series of group stage matches split across two pools.
In Group A, Africa On The Ball face Black Stars in the opening match before AmeZam Tamanga Queens take on Black Stars at 09:20. Africa On The Ball then return at 10:40 to face AmeZam Tamanga Queens.
Group B fixtures begin at 08:40 as Fearless Girls Academy FC meet BUSA FC, followed by Young Elite Ladies FC against Fearless Girls Academy FC at 10:00. The group stage concludes with BUSA FC facing Young Elite Ladies FC at 11:20.
Teams will then break for a recovery period from 13:00 to 13:30 before the knockout rounds begin.
Knockout phase and final
The semi-finals will follow immediately after the break, with the winner of Group A facing the runner-up from Group B at 13:35, while the winner of Group B meets the runner-up from Group A at 14:15.
A third-place play-off is scheduled for 14:55, before the final kicks off at 16:05. Both matches will be played over two 30-minute halves with a short break in between.
The tournament will conclude with an awards and closing ceremony at 17:15.
Format and tournament structure
Five teams will compete in a round-robin format, with the top side progressing to face defending champions BUSA Queens in the final.
Matches will be played under FIFA and Football Association of Zambia regulations, with modifications including 20-minute halves during the group stage and unlimited rolling substitutions. An eight-second rule for goalkeepers releasing the ball will also be enforced.
Eligibility and integrity measures
The competition is open to players born on or after 1 January 2011, though each team may include up to two players born in 2010 under special dispensation.
Strict eligibility checks will be in place, including mandatory age verification before matches and random spot checks requiring players to present valid identification such as FAZ registration cards, passports or birth certificates.
Teams may register up to 20 players but can only name 17 per matchday, and all players must be officially registered or licensed to the club they represent.
Pathway to the global stage
With the winners earning a place at the Gothia Cup, the stakes remain high for all competing teams.
Beyond the trophy, the tournament offers young players a rare opportunity to gain international exposure and experience, reinforcing its role in developing the next generation of Zambian women’s football talent.
