Scorchers handed China tournament ahead of 2027 World Cup

The Malawi women’s national team has been invited to the Youngchuan International Four-Nation Tournament in China, scheduled for early next year.

Thailand and Albania will also take part alongside China, giving the Scorchers a chance to test themselves against strong opposition in the months before the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup, which runs from June 24 to July 25 in Brazil.

FAM president Fleetwood Haiya confirmed that the Chinese Football Association had sent the invitation.

He said FAM would keep the team active with friendlies ahead of the global showpiece, after its history-making run to the Wafcon final in Morocco, where it lost 3-0 to Cameroon.

Scorchers captain Tabitha Chawinga said the World Cup would require plenty of preparation.

“The World Cup is a big competition. We need to prepare well by playing against the best teams,” she said.