The Zambia Football Association (FAZ) has announced that four of its players based in the United States have been pulled from the squad traveling to China for an upcoming tournament due to U.S. travel regulations.

FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga stated that Barbra Banda, Rachael Kundananji, Prisca Chilufya, and Grace Chanda will not be part of the Yongchuan International Tournament, an invitational women's event, due to "additional travel measures introduced by the new administration in the United States."

Banda, the team captain, along with Chanda and Chilufya, play for Orlando Pride, while Kundananji is under contract with Bay FC in San Jose, part of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

FAZ did not specify which travel policies affected the players. However, the U.S. government’s tightened immigration policies, increased scrutiny of foreign visa holders, and possible restrictions on travelers from certain countries have raised concerns among international athletes regarding potential difficulties in returning to the U.S.

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A recent executive order signed by President Trump in January directed officials to review countries with inadequate vetting systems and determine whether partial or full travel suspensions should be imposed. The U.S. State Department’s ongoing review has yet to finalize any country-specific restrictions, leaving uncertainty over whether China could be included.

Kamanga noted that after evaluating the situation, the decision was made in the players' best interests to forgo the tournament. “They will definitely be available for future assignments, just as they were in the last window when we played Malawi. The technical team has already selected replacements to maintain the squad’s competitiveness,” he added.

Source: With input from agency