Zambia drop 4 NWSL stars, cite U.S. travel rules

The Zambia women's national team have removed their four U.S.-based players from the squad for the Yongchuan International Tournament in China due to concerns over U.S. travel measures, the Zambia FA said on Wednesday.

FAZ general secretary Reuben Kamanga said Orlando Pride trio Barbra Banda, Prisca Chilufya and Grace Chanda, along with Bay FC forward Racheal Kundananji would not be available owing to additional travel measures introduced by the new administration in the United States.

The four NWSL players will stay back in the United States, Kamanga confirmed.

"After working through the process instigated by recently introduced measures it was decided that it is in the best interest of our players to skip this assignment," Kamanga said in a statement.

"They will definitely be available for future assignments as they were for the last window when we played Malawi."

An NWSL spokesperson said in a statement: "As a global league, we recognize the unique pressures facing international athletes in the current geopolitical climate. We are committed to ongoing collaboration with FIFA and other governing bodies, as well as our clubs, the NWSLPA, and the federal government, to advocate for long-term solutions that protect their ability to compete on both the domestic and international stage."

Zambia begin their tournament against Thailand on Saturday.