German newspaper Bild said that Zambia striker Barbara Banda will still participate in the 2023 World Cup. FIFA does not have regulations on gender testing for players and leaves it to football federations to do.
" The teams participating in the World Cup must ensure their own investigations and that they clearly prove that their players are women ," a FIFA member told Bild.
Previously at the 2011 World Cup, FIFA conducted examinations by having doctors examine players' genitals. This practice received mixed opinions and was therefore eliminated.
Zambia national team striker Barbara Banda.
Barbara Banda was not allowed to participate in the 2022 African Women's Championship due to " medical reasons". Specifically, the test results showed that the amount of testosterone (male sex hormone) was too high. However, she had previously participated in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and finished second in the race for the Golden Boot.
Barbara Banda played in Spain before joining Shanghai Shengli FC in China. Last year she had the chance to return to Spain to play for Real Madrid. The two sides reached an agreement, and only Barbara's signature was needed to complete the contract. But at the medical examination, high testosterone levels once again raised doubts about Barbara's gender. The plan to join Real Madrid failed.
Barbara recently scored a double in Zambia's 3-2 win over Germany. German international Kathy Hendrick commented on Barbara: " She is special. Her speed and physicality are special. It was a great experience for us to play against them. It also helps for the World Cup ."
At the 2023 World Cup, Zambia is in Group C with Costa Rica, Japan and Spain.
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