In a statement, FAZ confirmed the friendly will be played in Buenos Aires. Acting FAZ General Secretary Iva Lengwe said the match will be played at the iconic La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Lengwe added 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.
According to Lengwe, the Chipolopolo team for the Argentina clash will be 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.
Argentina friendly clear sign of respect Zambia
“We have received an invitation to play Argentina, and it is an opportunity we simply cannot pass up,” Lengwe told FAZ media while confirming the friendly.
“When the world champions come calling, you answer. 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 further confirmed 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,” added Lengwe.
The Argentina friendly comes just a week after Lwandamina unveiled his 38-member provisional squad for the Four Nations Tournament set for Francistown, Botswana from March 23-31.
Lwandamina, who took charge to replace Moses Sichone, summoned 15 foreign-based players with Scotland-based Chanka Zimba and fit-again Kingstone Mutandwa drafted in the squad.
Zimba has been on the radar of Chipolopolo handlers for a while and will be expected to make his debut after completing the naturalisation process to be eligible to don Chipolopolo colours joining the likes of Frankie Musonda and Jack Lahne.
Lwandamina fused in some standout performers from the U-17 FIFA World Cup Qatar 2025 tournament led by skipper Jonathan Kalimina, Abel Nyirongo and goalie Christo Chitambala to signal his faith in youth.
Zambia to use friendly for AFCON preps
The 2007 U-20 FIFA World Cup coach retained faith in some seasoned campaigners, who were at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, among them Patson Daka, Fashion Sakala, Lubambo Musonda, Willard Mwanza, Dominic Chanda, Wilson Chisala, David Hamansenya and Mathews Banda.
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.
Zambia squad unveiled by Lwandamina;
(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).
