Preview: Zambia Women vs. Japan Women - prediction, team news, lineups

The Copper Queens are making their first appearance at a men's or women's World Cup, while Japan are one of seven countries to have featured in every edition of the tournament.

Match preview

Zambia secured their place in Australia and New Zealand after reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, which doubled as a qualifying tournament for the World Cup.

After finishing top of their Africa Cup of Nations group, Zambia's quarter-final tie against Senegal was decided with a penalty shootout.

The Copper Queens held their nerve to prevail on spot-kicks, securing World Cup qualification and place in the semi-finals, where they were narrowly beaten by eventual winners South Africa.

Despite being ranked 77th in the world, Zambia will believe that they have the quality to make an impression in a group that contains Spain, Japan and Costa Rica.

They will certainly head into the tournament in a confident mood after claiming a 3-2 victory over Euro 2022 runners-up Germany in their final warm-up game.

Japan, meanwhile, have established themselves as a regular feature at the World Cup, having qualified for all nine editions of the tournament.

After becoming world champions in 2011, Japan went close to repeating the feat in 2015, but they were brushed aside in the final by the USA.

They were unable to produce a deep run into the tournament in France four years ago when they were eliminated in the last-16 by eventual runners-up the Netherlands.

Futoshi Ikeda's side warm-up for the 2023 edition with a commanding 5-0 win over Panama earlier this month, ensuring they head into Saturday's opening game in a positive mood.

Impressively, Japan have avoided defeat in their last six World Cup openers (W3, D3) since beginning the 1995 tournament with a loss to Germany.

Zambia Women form (all competitions):

Japan Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Hazel Nali is expected to start in goal for Zambia, and she could be shielded by the central defensive pairing of Agness Musase and Lushoma Mweemba.

Zambia boss Bruce Mwape could include Madrid CFF teammates Rachael Kundananji and Grace Chanda in the starting lineup.

Captain Barbra Banda will lead the line for her country, and she will head into the contest in a confident mood after scoring three goals in her last two international appearances.

As for Japan, the experienced Saki Kumagai will captain the side, and she could be joined in a back three by Moeka Minami and Shiori Miyake.

Manchester City's Yui Hasegawa is expected to feature in central midfield alongside Hikaru Naomoto and Fuka Nagano.

Having scored 24 goals in 63 international appearances, Mina Tanaka will pose a threat to the Zambia defence

Zambia Women possible starting lineup:

Nali; Belemu, Musase, Mweemba, Tembo; S. Banda, Katongo; Kundananji, G. Chanda, Mapepa; B. Banda

Japan Women possible starting lineup:

Yamashita; Miyake, Kumagai, Minami; Shimizu, Hasegawa, Naomoto, Nagano, Endo; Ueki, Tanaka

We say: Zambia Women 2-2 Japan Women

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