Croatian-based Chipolopolo midfielder Emanuel Banda has said that Zambia can still secure a World Cup place in the 2026 World Cup, despite being drawn in a tough group. Zambia, who are placed in Group E alongside Morocco, Congo, Tanzania, Niger, and Eritrea, will need to bring their A-game if they are to qualify for their first World Cup by topping the group at the end of the qualification. Banda, who was a game-changer after coming on as a substitute in the second half of the 1-1 draw against Comoros in the AFCON qualifiers' final group match on Saturday, believes that the country has what it takes to earn a place at the World Cup. "As a team, we want to play in the World Cup," he said. "We have never been there. Our eyes are set on that prize now." Speaking to FAZ media, the 25-year-old Zambian international spoke with confidence that the Chipolopolo can beat anyone on the African continent. "We know we can do it on the African continent; we can possibly face any team and defeat them," he said. "So we are in a tough group, but we are still certain we can emerge victorious." Zambia will be hoping to make their first World Cup appearance at the senior level, but they will have to upset the odds, especially being in a group with Morocco, who became the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals in the last tournament in Qatar.