ZANZIBAR. Zanzibar has sent an 18-player Under-13 football team to Brazil for an international youth tournament, giving some of the islands’ youngest players an opportunity to test their skills against teams from different footballing countries.
The Zanzibar Spice Boys squad, made up of players aged 12 and 13, departed from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport early Monday for the PQCUPBRASIL 2026 tournament in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
The tournament will run from October 10 to 15 and is expected to bring together youth teams from Brazil, Portugal, Argentina and other countries.
For Zanzibar, the tournament offers more than a chance to compete for honours. It gives the young players exposure to international competition at an early stage of their development while allowing coaches to assess their abilities against teams operating in different football systems.
Zanzibar Spice Boys have been drawn in Group A of the Under-13 category alongside Clube Minas Gerais, Soccer Pro Betim, Polo Novo Horizonte Rio Vermelho and Vitinho Soccer Itabira.
The delegation includes the players, coaches and technical staff, government officials and other members of the travelling team. Retired Honorary Consul of Brazil Abdulsamad Abdulrahim is the head of the delegation.
Zanzibar Sports Council Executive Secretary Said Marin is also part of the delegation.
The participation comes at a time when youth development is increasingly being viewed as an important foundation for strengthening football and creating a pipeline of players capable of competing at higher levels.
Playing against international opponents can expose young players to different tactical approaches, levels of physical preparation and standards of competition, while also giving coaches an opportunity to identify areas requiring improvement.
The trip is also expected to provide a platform for Zanzibar to promote itself internationally through sport.
Organisers say the delegation will use the opportunity to showcase Zanzibar’s football talent while promoting the islands’ culture and tourism.
The young players were seen off at the airport by family members, relatives, government leaders and other well-wishers before beginning their journey to Brazil.
They were given words of encouragement and advice as they prepared to represent Zanzibar in the tournament.
For the players, however, the trip represents an early step into international football, with the experience potentially shaping their development as they progress through different levels of the game.
The PQCUPBRASIL 2026 tournament will therefore provide the Zanzibar side with an opportunity to measure itself against international opposition while gaining valuable experience that could contribute to the long-term development of youth football on the islands.