Tanzania’s senior national football team, the Taifa Stars, will kick off preparations for their pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Zambia this weekend, after head coach Hemed Suleiman Morocco announced a 26-player squad on Saturday.
The showdown is set for October 8 at Zanzibar’s New Amaan Complex, where the Taifa Stars will face Zambia’s Chipolopolo in a match that could prove decisive for Group E standings.
The squad blends domestic talent with international experience. From Simba SC, players selected include Yacoub Sulemani, Wilson Nangu, Morice Abraham, Yusuph Kagoma, and Suleiman Mwalimu, while Azam FC is represented by Zuberi Foba, Lusajo Mwaikenda, Elias Lawi, Pascal Msindo, Yahya Zayd, Feisal Salum, and Abdul Suleiman.
Yanga SC contributes Dickson Job, Israel Mwenda, Bakari Mwanyeto, Aziz Andambwile, Ibrahim Abdulla, and Offen Chikola.
Other key call-ups include Hussein Masalanga and Habibu Iddi of Singida Black Stars, Novatus Dismas (Coztepe FC, Turkey), Haji Mnoga (Salford City, England), Tarraryn Allarakhia (Rochdale AFC, England), Edwin Balua (En Paralimniou, Cyprus), Miano Dalino (FK Panevezys, Lithuania), and Charles M’mombwa (Florian FC, Malta).
Notably absent from the squad are national team captain Mohamed Hussein Tshabalala, striker Mbwana Samatta, and forward Simon Msuva, leaving questions over the team’s attacking options.
Tanzania currently sits second in Group E with 10 points, just behind Morocco, who have also accumulated 10 points and already secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
Zambia and Niger each have six points, with Zambia in third on goal difference, while Congo and Eritrea occupy fourth and fifth places, respectively, with one and zero points.
The October 8 clash in Zanzibar is expected to be a high-stakes encounter, as the Taifa Stars aim to consolidate their position and keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive.