The 2026 Roberts Cup is set to bring together four promising youth sides in Lusaka this week, as the tournament continues its ambition to become one of the leading non-CAF youth football competitions in the region.
Spearheaded by UK-based football agent Charlie Roberts, the tournament will feature Kafue Celtic, Game On, Red Arrows Youth and Sporting Lusaka.
The competition will kick off on Thursday at Crocs Swamp, where Kafue Celtic take on Game On in a 15:00 to 17:00 kick-off slot.
Action moves to Nkoloma Stadium on Friday, with Sporting Lusaka facing Red Arrows Youth between 12:00 and 14:00.
The tournament will reach its conclusion on Saturday at Nkoloma Stadium, with the third-place play-off scheduled for 11:00 to 13:00 before the final, which will take place from 15:00 to 17:00.
The 2026 edition has attracted notable partnerships, with Eyeball and Sofascore coming on board as tournament partners, while global sportswear brand PUMA serves as the kit partner.
The partnerships reflect the organisers’ ambition to raise the tournament’s profile, improve the visibility of young Zambian footballers and create greater international exposure for the country’s emerging talent.
Speaking about the tournament’s broader vision, the organisers emphasised the importance of promoting Zambian football professionally and attracting more attention to the local game.
“The goal is to move Zambian football forward in a professional manner. The more eyes we have on Zambian football, the better. With Eyeball and Sofascore as tournament partners, and PUMA as our kit partner, we are showing real ambition to establish the Roberts Cup as the biggest non-CAF youth tournament in the region,” the organisers said.
Roberts was in Lusaka in March this year as part of efforts surrounding the tournament and its wider vision of creating opportunities and exposure for young footballers.
With four teams competing across three days, the Roberts Cup 2026 provides a platform for young players to showcase their abilities while contributing to the development and international visibility of Zambian football.
