- Benni McCarthy has named Harambee Stars final squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Seychelles.
- Kenya will host The Gambia on Friday, September 5, 2025, followed by a showdown with Seychelles on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Kasarani stadium.
- The squad includes 13 standout performers from the recent African Nations Championship (CHAN) whose impressive displays have earned them recalls for these pivotal encounters.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has unveiled the Harambee Stars final squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Seychelles. The Kenya national football team will host The Gambia on Friday, September 5 followed by a showdown with Seychelles on Tuesday, September 9.
Both fixtures are scheduled to kick off at 4:00 PM at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
McCarthy’s final squad includes 13 players from the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 tournament whose impressive displays earned them recalls for these pivotal encounters.
Despite Kenya’s quarterfinal exit at the hands of Madagascar, the team’s spirited run has prompted McCarthy to retain a significant core of that squad.
Veteran defender Aboud Omar, who captained the CHAN side, leads the returning players.
Among the goalkeepers, only Sebastian Wekesa misses out, while Brian Bwire, who plays for Polokwane City in South Africa, joins Byrne Omondi and Faruk Shikhalo in the goalkeeping unit.
In defense, Omar is joined by Sylvester Owino, who was a consistent figure throughout CHAN, alongside Lewis Bandi, Michael Kibwage and Alphonce Omija, all of whom featured prominently in the continental tournament.
New additions to the backline include former Gor Mahia man Rooney Onyango who plays for Norwegian second-tier side Sogndal and former AFC Leopards man Collins Sichenje who is in the books of Serbian topflight side Vojvodina.
The midfield sees the return of youngster Manzur Suleiman Okwaro, who had a commendable tournament, as well as Ben Stanley Omondi, Alpha Onyango, a two-time Man of the Match during CHAN and Marvin Nabwire.
Three fresh faces bolster the midfield department as Duke Abuya, the creative spark from Tanzanian giants Yanga SC, and Richard Odada of Dundee United join alongside Timothy Ouma who plays for Polish side Lech Poznan.
Up front, Ryan Ogama, who netted twice in CHAN, retains his place, alongside Boniface Muchiri, who made a notable impact during the tournament.
Emmanuel Osoro, recently signed by Zambian side Power Dynamos, has also been selected, alongside national team captain Michael Olunga, William Lenkupae, and Job Ochieng who is line for his first national team call up. Ochieng plays for Spain’s Real Sociedad B side.
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Surprising omissions from Harambee Stars final squad
However, in a surprising omission, Austin Odhiambo, who scored twice during CHAN and was widely praised for his creativity in midfield, has not made the final squad.
Other notable omissions include Gor Mahia’s new signing Mohammed Siraj, dependable defender Daniel Sakari, and versatile midfielder Crispine Erambo, all of whom had solid performances but were left out of the final squad.
These fixtures mark a crucial phase in Africa’s World Cup qualifying campaign, which follows a group-stage format. Each team plays home and away matches within their group.
Group winners will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the top four runners-up across all groups will proceed to a two-legged playoff culminating in a final to determine Africa’s representative in the FIFA Intercontinental Play-Off Tournament.
Kenya currently sits fourth in their group with 6 points, trailing Ivory Coast (16 points), Gabon (15 points), and Burundi (10 points).
With home advantage, Harambee Stars must seize maximum points to stay in contention for qualification.
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 Ogama
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