Zanaco Grassroots U17 National Football Tournament

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Zanaco Grassroots U17 Tournament?

The Zanaco Grassroots U17 Tournament is an annual football tournament aimed at identifying young soccer talent in schools across the country.

 Who is eligible to participate in the tournament?

All government schools that participate in the provincial football games. Winners of provincial games, both male and female teams then participate in the tournament in Lusaka.

How can schools participate in the Zanaco Grassroots Tournament?

No sign-up is required. Schools participate through existing inter-school competitions at district and provincial level under the Ministry of Education.

How are teams selected?

The teams that win the Provincial competition (both boys and girls) represent their province in Lusaka at the Zanaco Grassroots U17 Soccer Tournament.

When is the tournament?

The Zanaco Grassroots U17 National Football Tournament  2026 was held from 3rd July to 6th July 2026 at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka. 

Will there be prizes for the tournament?

Yes! Winning teams and exceptional players receive trophies, medals, and additional prizes for their school.

What safety measures are in place for children?

The tournament follows strict child safeguarding policies to ensure children’s safety and well-being.

How can other entities be a part of the Zanaco Grassroots Tournament?

Organisations may wish to partner through sponsorship in-kind or monetary. For more information on our sponsorship packages, please contact the Zanaco Team on this email: [email protected].

Can the public attend matches?

Yes, at multiple tournament locations including NRDC, Showgrounds and Bank of Zambia Club. The final match is played at the iconic Sunset Stadium, home of the Sensational Zanaco Football Club.