Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has named 25 players in his provisional squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast. The team hits camp today and is set to start off their preparations for the qualifiers tomorrow, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Nairobi.
Kenya will play Burundi on June 7, 2024, and there after play Ivory Coast, on June 11, 2024. Despite being the home team, Harambee Stars shall play both matches at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi.This move comes along due to the unavailability of the Nyayo National Stadium and the Kasarani Stadium, the only stadiums in Kenya provisionally approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host international matches. Both are under renovation ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya shall jointly co-host alongside Tanzania and Uganda.
Kenya currently sits third out of six in Group F of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, having picked up three points from the opening two matches against Gabon and Seychelles.Only the top team in the group, which comprises Ivory Coast, Gabon, Burundi, The Gambia, Seychelles, and Kenya, will qualify for the 48-team World Cup, which will be played across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.Four of the best runners-up from the nine groups will also get a lifeline in a playoff that will determine CAF’s representative in the Inter-confederation playoffs involving six teams, which will decide the last two FIFA World Cup berths.
Among the new faces is Kenya Police defender Brian Okoth, who has stood out in the local league. Gor Mahia’s Austine Odhiambo, who has the most assists in the FKF Premier League this season, has also earned a call-up. Additionally, the coach has summoned Tobias Knost, who plies his trade in Germany with SV Verl and Bruce Kamau, who features for Perth Glory in Australia. Adam Wilson, who plays for Bradford City in England, has also earned a maiden national team call-up.
Notable names missing on the list are Michael Olunga, Richard Odada and Daniel Anyembe.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers
Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Byrne Odhiambo (Bandari), Boniphas Munyasa (Muranga Seal), Ian Otieno (Zesco, Zambia)
Defenders
Johnstone Omurwa (Estrela, Portugal), Alphonse Omija (Dhofar-Oman), Amos Nondi (Ararat, Armenia), Brian Okoth (Kenya Police), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Tobias Knost (SV Verl, Germany)
Midfielders
John Ochieng (Zanaco, Zambia), Eric Johanna (UTA, Romania), Adam Wilson (Bradford City, England), Anthony Akumu (Unattached), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), Kaycie Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Chrispine Erambo (Tusker), Rooney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Ayub Timbe (Sabail, Azeberijan), Duke Abuya (IHEFU, Tanzania), Bruce Kamau (Perth Glory, Australia)
Forwards
John Avire (El Sekka El Hadid SC, Egypt), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Benson Omala (Gor Mahia), Elvis Rupia (IHEFU, Tanzania)