- The Burundi vs Kenya game will be played at the Intwari Stadium in Bujumbura.
- Burundi are fourth on the log on 10 points.
- Kenya’s Harambee Stars are fifth on 9 points.
Burundi will host the Harambee Stars on Thursday at the newly refurbished Intwari Stadium in Bujumbura in round 9 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
Though both nations are mathematically eliminated from contention in Group F, the match is about fighting for pride, bragging rights and finishing the World Cup qualifiers on a high.
For Burundi, this match sees them return to the newly refurbished stadium after a four-year absence with the last competitive match played there being a 2-2 draw against the Central African Republic in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The venue also holds negative memories for the visiting Harambee Stars who suffered a 1-0 defeat on the same ground in the 2012 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers, which was the first competitive meeting between the two countries.
Heading into matchday 9 of 10, both teams are focused on finishing the campaign on a high note.
In the FIFA World Rankings, Kenya holds a slight edge, ranked 111th as compared to Burundi at 141. However, in the Group F standings, Burundi are 4th on the log with 10 points, a point ahead of Kenya in fifth.
Historically, the rivalry between the two nations has been tightly contested. In their eight previous encounters, the record stands perfectly even with two wins for each side and four draws.
Their most recent meeting, the reverse qualifier fixture in June 2024, ended in a 1-1 draw hosted by Kenya in Malawi.
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Burundi vs Kenya current form
Burundi – World Cup: WLWLL
Burundi arrives with a mixed record of 3 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses in the qualifiers. Their recent run, however, has been challenging. Consecutive defeats in the most recent international break, a 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast and a 2-0 defeat to Gambia officially ended their World Cup dream and saw the team fail to score in successive qualifiers for the first time in the campaign.
Kenya – WQ: DDLLW
The Harambee Stars approach this fixture with renewed confidence following a crucial 5-0 thrashing of bottom-placed Seychelles.
That result ended a four-game winless streak for the Harambee Stars – 1-3 and 1-2 home losses against Gambia and Ivory Coast respectively, as well as a 3-3 draw with Gambia and Ivory Coast (0-0).
Kenya boasts a strong attack in the group, scoring the most goals (17) goals but has also conceding 11.
Burundi Head Coach Patrick Sangwa will have to manage without his captain Frédéric Nsabiyumva who is omitted from the squad due to injury.
What they said ahead of the game?
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has revealed late fitness concerns for three core players.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday before departure McCarthy stated, “We don’t have any major injury concerns, but [captain] Michael Olunga, Rooney Onyango, and Alpha Onyango will have to be assessed. Alpha got a knock in his last match with Gor Mahia FC.”
Despite the elimination, both coaches are treating the final matches as vital stepping stones.
McCarthy insisted that they are aiming to collect maximum points in their last two matches.
“We know it’s going to be a tough match, a difficult experience for us. The first time we are playing on a surface like this. We are here to play the best football that we can and we know we have two World Cup qualifiers and six points on offer. We didn’t come here to honour the matches but to win.”
On his part, Burundi head coach Patrick Sangwa believes that the remaining two matches will help the team in its target of preparing for the next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.
“It was a dream to qualify for the World Cup, we can’t make it but now our aim is to build and prepare a strong team to qualify for the next Africa Cup of Nations.”
The match kicks off at 4 PM East African Time.