USA vs Zambia: Preview, predictions, team news

  • USA vs Zambia kicks off on July 25 at 3 p.m. ET
  • The USWNT is unbeaten under Emma Hayes
  • Zambia were the final team to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games
Check out the full match preview for USA vs Zambia at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Check out the full match preview for USA vs Zambia at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. /
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The USA begin their campaign for their fifth gold medal on July 25 against Zambia at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The U.S. Women's National Team are looking to get off to a strong start at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The Stars and Stripes might have the most gold medals in women's soccer of all time, but they have not won gold since 2012. Now, under new coach, Emma Hayes, the USWNT are enjoying an unbeaten run heading into their first Group B fixture.

Zambia, meanwhile, only just qualified for the tournament three months ago. The Cooper Queens were sorted into Group B along with the USA, Germany, and Australia, giving them three tough opponents in just their second-ever Olympics appearance.

Here's 90min's guide to USA vs Zambia at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.


What time does USA vs Zambia kick off?

  • Location: Nice, France
  • Stadium: Stade de Nice
  • Date: Thursday, July 25
  • Kick-off time: 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. BST

USA vs Zambia H2H record

USA vs Zambia at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games will mark the first ever meeting between the two countries.


Current form (all competitions)

USA

Zambia

USA 0-0 Costa Rica - July 16, 2024

New Zealand 1-1 Zambia - July 13, 2024

USA 1-0 Mexico - July 13, 2024

Morocco 0-2 Zambia - Apr. 9, 2024

USA 3-0 South Korea - June 4, 2024

Zambia 1-2 Morocco - Apr. 5, 2024

USA 4-0 South Korea - June 1, 2024

Zambia 3-3 Ghana - Feb. 28, 2024

USA 2-2 Canada (5-4 pens) - Apr. 9, 2024

Ghana 0-1 Zambia - Feb. 23, 2024

How to watch USA vs Zambia on TV and live stream

Country

TV channel/live stream

United States

USA Network, Universo, Peacock, FuboTV

United Kingdom

BBC, discovery+


USA team news

Sophia Smith
Sophia Smith will play in her first every Olympic tournament this summer. / Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/USSF/GettyImages

The USWNT only managed a scoreless draw against Costa Rica in their final international friendly before traveling to France, but the Stars and Stripes were without two of their starters, Jenna Nighswonger and Rose Lavelle. Fortunately, both players only sat out as a precaution, and they will be ready to go against Zambia.

Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson are the two forwards that have found the most success under Emma Hayes, and they will be heavily relied upon to carry the goalscoring load for the USWNT in France.


USA predicted lineup vs Zambia

USA predicted lineup vs Zambia ( 4-3-3 ): Naeher; Fox, Girma, Davidson, Nighswonger; Lavelle, Horan, Coffey; Rodman, Smith, Swanson


Zambia team news

Barbra Banda
Barbra Banda will lead Zambia at the 2024 Paris Olympics. / Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/GettyImages

Zambia were the final team to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Back in April, the Cooper Queens defeated Morocco in a two-leg playoff in the fourth round of the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, landing them in Group B.

Zambia will be led by by Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda, who already has 12 goals in just 12 matches this season in the NWSL. Banda is one of the most in-form strikers in women's soccer right now, and she will have to come up huge if Zambia want to hang with the USWNT.


Zambia predicted lineup vs USA

Zambia predicted lineup vs USA (4-3-3): Musonda; Siamfuko, P Zulu, Mweemba, Tembo; H Chanda, Wilombe, M Zulu; Chitundu, Kundananji, Banda


USA vs Zambia score prediction

The USA should emerge victorious in their first Group B fixture at this summer's Olympics. It is hard to imagine the USWNT's unbeaten streak ending against Zambia, who has just two wins in 2024. Plus, Emma Hayes' squad has yet to concede a goal with their new manager on the sideline.

Prediction: USA 2-0 Zambia