Head coach Benni McCarthy on Wednesday named the Harambee Stars final squad that will represent the country in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Seychelles. The team will host The Gambia on Friday, September 5 followed by a showdown with Seychelles on Tuesday, September 9 with both matches taking place at Kasarani Stadium.
Out of the 23 players called up to the final squad, 3 key players were not included with a lot of fans raising questions online. The three players included fan favourites Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma, Austine Odhiambo and Mohammed Bajaber.
Having bowed out of their maiden African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 tournament at the quarterfinal stage, the World Cup qualifiers gave McCarthy a chance to call international players to the team, and Bajaber and Marcelo were expected to feature.
However, McCarthy, responding via social media, revealed that the two players were not called up due to injury-related reasons.
Bajaber, who recently completed his move from Kenya Police FC to Tanzanian giants Simba, was said to be recovering from his hamstring problems. Bajaber offers threat on the wings with his eye-catching dribbling and ability to take on defenders.
Meanwhile, former Gor Mahia man Marcelo, who plies his trade with Polish side Rakow Czestochowa, was injured after undergoing Achilles tendon surgery, leaving Kenya without the player’s impeccable workrate in the left back position.
McCarthy did not comment on the status of Austine who was left out in Kenya’s quarterfinal loss against Madagascar in CHAN 2024 despite the game going into penalties after extra time.
A lot of people questioned why the creative player was left out despite jointly topping the team’s scoring charts with 2 goals alongside Ryan Ogam.
In that game, McCarthy stated that it was due to tactical reasons but the latest omission adds fuel to the fire. Austine adds unmatched creativity to the team.
Other notable omissions include French-based defender Joseph Okumu who picked a long term injury.
Kenya are currently fourth in Group F having collected 6 points in six games with their maiden World Cup dreams all but shattered as Ivory Coast top with 16 points while Gabon are second with 15 points.
Only group winners qualify directly for the World Cup. The second round will pit the four best runners-up in two one-off semi-finals, followed by a final. The winner of this second round will participate in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
Harambee Stars final squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Seychelles
Goalkeepers
Faruk Shikhalo, Byrne Omondi, Brian Bwire
Defenders
Sylvester Owino, Alphonce Omija, Collins Sichenje, Michael Kibwage, Ronney Onyango, Aboud Omar, Lewis Bandi
Midfielders
Richard Odada, Alpha Onyango, Duke Abuya, Manzur Suleiman, Timothy Ouma, Ben Stanley Omondi, Marvin Nabwire
Wingers
Emmanuel Osoro, William Lenkupae, Job Ochieng, Boniface Muchiri
Strikers
Michael Olunga (Captain), Ryan Ogam
Previous World Cup Qualifier results for Harambee Stars
Gabon 2-1 Kenya
Seychelles 0-5 Kenya
Kenya 1-1 Burundi
Kenya 0-0 Ivory Coast
The Gambia 3-3 Kenya
Kenya 1-2 Gabon