Newly appointed Benni McCarthy has named the Harambee Stars final squad that will represent the country in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying matches against The Gambia and Gabon slated for 20 and 23 March respectively.
In what will be the very first squad that plays under the South African tactician, only five local players have been included in the 23-man team with captain Michael Olunga, who plies his trade with Qatari outfit Al Duhail, expected to lead the line.
The local players include goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo (Bandari), defenders Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia) and Manzur Okwaro (KCB) alongside midfielders Ben Stanley Omondi (Gor Mahia) and Mohammed Bajaber (Kenya Police).
Notably, Okwaro earns a spot in the final squad after impressing in the Kenya U20 team that made history by booking their maiden ticket to the U20 Africa Cup of Nations set to take place in Côte d’Ivoire from 26 April to 18 May 2025.
Meanwhile, Ismael Gonzalez marks his return to the national team after an extended absence with Eric Johana Omondi, Daniel Francis Anyembe and Richard Odada planned to join the team in Abidjan.
There are notable omissions in the Harambee Stars final squad with French-based Joseph Okumu and Collins Sichenje left out.
McCarthy speaks ahead of first two matches in charge
Coach Benni McCarthy expressed his excitement about leading the team in his first two World Cup qualifiers stating, “I am thrilled to lead my first two World Cup qualifiers. I am eager to work with the talented squad I have selected for the campaign.
There’s plenty of hard work and dedication ahead, but we’re ready to embrace the challenge as a team.”
The national team will first face Gambia on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Stade Allasane Ouattara in Ivory Coast.
Following this match, they will return home to take on Gabon at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday, March 23, 2025, with kickoff scheduled for 4 PM.
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Kenya currently sits fourth in the group standings with 5 points, having secured one win against Seychelles and two draws against Ivory Coast and Burundi. Group leaders Ivory Coast top the standings with 10 points.
The winners of each group will directly qualify for the tournament. Additionally, the four best runners-up from the groups will advance to the CAF Play-Off tournament whose winner shall take part in a FIFA Playoff tournament for a chance to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The team is set to depart from Nairobi on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
Previous Results
- Seychelles 0-5 Kenya
- Gambia 2-1 Kenya
- Kenya 0-0 Ivory Coast
- Kenya 1-1 Kenya
Harambee Stars Final Squad
Goalkeepers
- Ian Otieno
- Brian Bwire
- Faruk Shikhalo
Defenders
- Jonestone Omurwa
- Brian Mandela
- Daniel Anyembe
- Amos Nondi
- Erick Ouma
- Manzur Okwaro
- Ronny Onyango
Midfielders
- Anthony Akumu
- Richard Odada
- Ismael Gonzalez
- Timothy Ouma
- Eric Johana
- Duke Abuya
- Mohammed Bajaber
- Ben Stanley Omondi
Forwards
- Masud Juma
- Jonah Ayunga
- Elvis Rupia
- John Avire
- Michael Olunga
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