)
Copper Queens' captain Barbara Banda has been given the all-clear to play at the World Cup despite previous struggles with gender eligibility tests
Zambia’s star forward Barbara Banda has been cleared to represent the country at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup despite failing a gender eligibility test.
Zambia receive major World Cup boost
Banda missed the 2022 Women’s AFCON after showing a heightened level of testosterone during gender eligibility tests ahead of the tournament in Morocco, leaving Zambia without one of the best players in their squad.
There were fears that the situation could repeat itself ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, but those fears have been put to rest after Banda was given the greenlight to participate in the tournament.
)
The Shanghai Shengli forward was cleared by FIFA who deemed tests carried out by the Zambian FA sufficient to prove Banda’s eligibility.
A spokesperson for FIFA told German publication BILD “The World Cup participants assure that they carry out their own investigations and that they clearly show that their players are female.”
Zambia looking to shock the World in Australia and New Zealand.
Despite Banda’s absence, Zambia finished in a respectable third position at the 2022 Women’s AFCON after beating Nigeria in the third-place play-off to claim a place at the 2023 World Cup.
With their star forward cleared to join the squad at the World Cup, the Copper Queens will be hoping to make a splash in Australia and New Zealand when they make their first appearance in Women’s football’s most illustrious tournament.
The debutants who will be taking on Spain, Japan, and Costa Rica in Group C showed their quality with a deserved 3-2 friendly win over Germany as part of World Cup preparations, with Banda scoring twice.
Related content
)
07:00 - 10.07.2023
Yakubu Aiyegbeni: Nigerians call for arrest of Super Eagles legend 13 years after World Cup miss
Super Eagles legend Yakubu Aiyegbeni celebrates with daughter to dismiss calls of arrest by Nigerians 13 years after World Cup miss
)
17:42 - 09.07.2023
FIFA WWC Morocco: Player Profiles
Get to all the players that have been selected to represent Morocco at the Women's World Cup later this summer.
)
15:09 - 08.07.2023
Super Falcons: 7 things to know about planned boycott of FIFA World Cup game
The Super Falcons of Nigeria are billed to kick off their FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign on July 21, but with less than two weeks to the D-day, controversies have failed to disappear.
)
09:33 - 08.07.2023
Lauren James looking to leave brother Reece’s shadow with World Cup campaign
England forward Lauren James hopes a strong campaign at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup will help her leave her brother Reece James' shadow
)
06:48 - 08.07.2023
France lose Henry just days before the World Cup
France Women are set to be without star midfielder Amandine Henry at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
)
14:32 - 07.07.2023
Randy Waldrum: 3 reasons why the Super Falcons are destined to fail at the FIFA Women’s World Cup
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have been drawn in group B of the FIFA Women’s World Cup that kicks off later this month.
)
17:48 - 06.07.2023
Super Falcons: Randy Waldrum rubbishes World Cup preparation plans, asks 'where is the $960,000 from FIFA?'
Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum queries NFF over FIFA grant amidst poor World Cup preparations
)
11:16 - 07.07.2023
Explained: Why Super Falcons World Cup matches could last 100 minutes
Matches at the upcoming Women's World Cup could last up to 100 minutes according to a new directive by FIFA.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)