Copper Princesses Learn Their Fate: Zambia Drawn in Group F at Historic FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025
The Zambia U-17 Women’s National Team, Copper Princesses, have officially discovered their group-stage opponents for the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025. Drawn in Group F, the young Zambian side will face Japan, New Zealand, and Paraguay in what promises to be a thrilling test of their progress on the global stage.
The tournament, set to take place from 17 October to 8 November in the Moroccan capital Rabat, is already being hailed as historic. It will be the first edition ever hosted on African soil, as well as the first to feature 24 nations, up from the previous 16-team format.
According to the draws conducted at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Rabat, the Copper Princesses will relive a familiar challenge when they clash with Japan, a side that handed them a 4-1 defeat in the 2024 edition.
Zambia’s other Group F opponents bring their own pedigree. New Zealand has been a consistent presence in youth World Cups, while Paraguay, emerging from South America’s competitive qualification zone, are considered a rising force in women’s football.
Meanwhile, hosts Morocco find themselves in Group A with Brazil, Costa Rica, and Italy. Defending champions Korea DPR are in Group B, alongside Cameroon, Mexico, and the Netherlands. Fellow African representatives include Nigeria in Group D and Côte d’Ivoire in Group E.
The top two teams from each of the six groups will advance to the Round of 16, along with the four best third-placed teams.
Full Group Draw – FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025:
Group A: Morocco 🇲🇦, Brazil 🇧🇷, Costa Rica 🇨🇷, Italy 🇮🇹
Group B: Korea DPR 🇰🇵 (defending champions), Cameroon 🇨🇲, Mexico 🇲🇽, Netherlands 🇳🇱
Group C: China PR 🇨🇳, Ecuador 🇪🇨, Norway 🇳🇴, USA 🇺🇸
Group D: Canada 🇨🇦, France 🇫🇷, Nigeria 🇳🇬, Samoa 🇼🇸
Group E: Colombia 🇨🇴, Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮, Korea Republic 🇰🇷, Spain 🇪🇸
Group F: Japan 🇯🇵, New Zealand 🇳🇿, Paraguay 🇵🇾, Zambia 🇿🇲
With the world’s attention turning to Rabat this October, the Copper Princesses will carry the hopes of Zambia and Southern Africa into the tournament.
