President of the United Republic of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, together with all relevant sports authorities, to ensure strong and well-coordinated preparations for the national women’s under-20 football team, Tanzanite Queens, ahead of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The President issued the directive on May 11, 2026, through a WhatsApp message in which she congratulated the team for making history after qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in Tanzania’s football history.
President Samia said the achievement is a major milestone for the country and reflects the steady growth of women’s football in Tanzania. She noted that the success has brought pride to the nation and opened a new chapter for the development of the sport.
“Your achievement is a great success for our nation. It is a proud moment to see Tanzania flying its flag at the World Cup,” she said.
She further emphasized that qualification alone is not enough, insisting that proper preparations are essential for the team to compete effectively on the global stage and represent Tanzania and East Africa with pride.
The Tanzanite Queens booked their historic place at the tournament after eliminating Cameroon in a tightly contested playoff. The two-legged tie ended 3-3 on aggregate, with Tanzania progressing on the away goals rule.
In the first leg played in Cameroon, Tanzanite Queens suffered a 3-1 defeat. However, they delivered a remarkable response in the return leg at home, securing a 2-0 victory that sealed their qualification.
The achievement has sparked nationwide celebration, with attention now shifting toward structured training camps, international friendly matches, and enhanced technical preparations as the team builds towards its World Cup debut.
