The recent international break during the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) hosted several different exciting games. This included a Olympic Gold Medal rematch between powerhouses United States Women’s National Team and the Brazil Women’s National Team, as well as seeing the Canadian’s being coached by Casey Stoney after their victory at the Pinatar Cup.

But this international break brought a heart break for a handful of NWSL players who were unable to follow their call up to their national team. The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) announced that captain Barbra Banda, Racheal Kundananji, Prisca Chilufya and Grace Chanda would not be travelling to China for the Yangchuan International Tournament.

Although the four of them have been available for their national team previously, it has become more and more difficult since the Trump administration has taken over. Recently, President Donald Trump enacted a new travel ban that could impact citizens of up to 43 different countries. The bans include visa suspensions of partial or full nature. The list of countries impacted is still under review and is subject to change, but the NWSL is home to many international players that can and will be impacted by these bans.

The FAZ found that the current restrictions in place were prohibitory of the Zambian players travelling abroad to compete for their national team. FAZ general secretary, Reuben Kamanga, said they are acting on the advice of multiple parties to make sure players best interest is considered.

“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," 

“They will definitely be available for future assignments as they were for the last window when we played Malawi. The technical bench has since roped in replacements to ensure that the team remains competitive.” 

The Orlando Pride and Bay FC consulted with the FAZ, as well as the American Zambian mission in Washington D.C. With immigration concerns, travel bans, and additional travel measures added from the current administration, it will be interesting to see how many sports teams handle international players moving forward. 

This wouldn’t be the first time that President Trump has targeted women’s athletes, kicking off a campaign against trans people in sports. This ideology led to several bigoted attacks against the Zambian captain Barbara Banda, where the federation was force to speak out again in her defense.

“The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has taken note of a litany of carefully calculated abusive messages towards Zambia Women National Team skipper and Orlando Pride star Barbra Banda in light of her BBC Women World Footballer of the Year accolade.FAZ president Andrew Kamanga says FAZ will explore options to ensure that Barbra’s rights as a human being and footballer are protected.”

“As FAZ, we have been made aware of offensive messages directed at our Copper Queens skipper after she won the BBC Women Footballer of the Year award. We have sought the help of continental and global football authorities to ensure that punishment is meted out to the perpetrators of race-tinged attack on Barbra,” says Kamanga.

“Barbra has not only been abused as a human being but also as a footballer which makes it hard for prospective African footballers to aspire for excellence in the game. Football has no space for racial and rights abuse for anyone involved in the game.”

The FAZ boss says Barbra’s story serves as an inspiration to many young girls around the world, especially those who may feel kinship with Banda's story.

“We cannot congratulate Barbra enough for the many accolades she has won in the women’s game including her recent nomination for the Ballon d’or where she emerged 12th. Barbra is also in the running for the 2024 CAF Women Footballer of the Year, NWSL Most Valuable Player and BBC Women Footballer of the Year,” says Kamanga.

“The impeccable reputation of world organizations and clubs that have honoured Barbra since she announced her presence on the global stage at the 2014 FIFA Women World Cup, two Olympics (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024) and 2023 FIFA Women World Cup brings into question the motives of those that choose to abuse her each time she scores a global milestone.”

“Barbra has participated at all these CAF and FIFA organized tournaments like all female athletes in the global game.”

“Among her accolades Barbra scored four goals for Zambia at the Paris Olympics this summer, including a first-half hat-trick against Australia, to become the leading African goal scorer in Olympic history with 10. She scored 13 goals for Pride in 2024 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) regular season, despite only joining in March, and four goals in the playoffs, including the winning goal in the championship final on Saturday as Orlando Pride won their maiden title and was also named Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the NWSL.”

Gotham FC and the Orlando Pride also experienced targeted hateful remarks towards Banda when they played against each other. The fan was banned, had their season tickets revoked, and will no longer be allowed to attend future matches at the newly named Sports Illustrated Stadium.

The fan violated the NWSL Fan Code of Conduct after the club conducted an investigation into the incident. https://www.gothamfc.com/news/gotham-fc-addresses-fan-incident-at-home-opener

"Gotham FC is aware of an incident involving hateful language directed at Barbra Banda during Sunday’s match between our team and Orlando Pride. We are united in our message with the NWSL and the Orlando Pride: This behavior is unacceptable and has no place in our league or in our stadiums.”

On April 2nd, 2025 Gotham FC released another statement regarding the incident. 

“Following reports of an incident during our March 23 match vs. the Orlando Pride, Gotham FC conducted a thorough investigation in collaboration with the NWSL, staff and stadium security. We interviewed numerous witnesses, including fans and stadium, team and league personnel, and reviewed stadium security footage and security logs. The club found that a fan violated the NWSL Fan Code of Conduct. As such, Gotham FC has revoked their season tickets, and the fan has been banned from future Gotham FC matches and events."

"Threatening, abusive or discriminatory behavior or language of any kind has no place at Gotham FC events. Our club and the NWSL are committed to creating a welcoming, safe and enjoyable matchday experience for all players, staff and fans."

"Fans attending our games are encouraged to report inappropriate behavior via RavenEye, an encrypted text message service that links directly to our stadium's incident management and reporting platform and is available for all home matches. The text line is 973-566-5001. This number can also be found at Guest Services on the Plaza at Gate B and in all bathrooms around the stadium.”

The actions to support Banda, who is an outstanding talent, make for optimistic hopes. However, in the current political climate and with hate escalating to incidents like the one at the Gotham game, it does make a fan nervous. 

Player safety is important and it is nice to see the team and league stand together against bigotry and hate aimed at players. There is always room for the league to grow and fans should grow with them.