The Tanzania national football team, Taifa Stars, will officially begin training camp tomorrow in Dar es Salaam as they prepare for a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zambia. The match is scheduled to take place on October 8 at the New Amaan Complex Stadium in Zanzibar.
This fixture is seen as a pivotal moment for Taifa Stars, who are pushing to secure a spot at the World Cup in the United States. Alongside this qualifier, the team is also gearing up for an international FIFA-sanctioned friendly match against Iran, which will be played on October 14 in Dubai.
Speaking recently, the Tanzania Football Federation’s (TFF) Head of Media and Communications, Clifford Mario Ndimbo, confirmed that the team will train in Dar es Salaam for two days before traveling to Zanzibar for final preparations. He emphasized the importance of the Zambia match, noting that a victory would not only boost Tanzania’s chances of advancing in the qualifiers but also improve their standing in FIFA rankings.
"After the match against Zambia, the team will remain in Zanzibar for a couple of days before traveling to Eswatini for an international friendly," said Ndimbo.
Head Coach Hemed Suleiman, popularly known as 'Morocco', has called up a 26-man squad featuring a mix of home-based players and international stars.
The squad includes key figures from top local clubs such as Simba SC, Azam FC, Yanga SC, and Singida Black Stars, as well as overseas-based players competing in leagues across England, Turkey, Cyprus, Lithuania, and Malta.
Currently, Tanzania sits second in Group E with 10 points—tied with group leaders Morocco, who have already secured their spot in the 2026 tournament.
Zambia trails in third place with six points, followed by Niger, also with six, but behind on goal difference. Congo holds fifth place with a single point, while Eritrea remains at the bottom of the group, yet to register a point.
With high stakes and national pride on the line, all eyes will be on Taifa Stars as they begin their final preparations for what could be a defining moment in their World Cup journey.
