2026 World Cup,2026 World Cup Qualifiers Stories

African teams edge closer to 2026 World Cup as final qualifiers begin
Bashir Mbuthia  |  Oct 06, 2025

Morocco and Tunisia have already secured qualification after topping Groups E and H, while Egypt could join them on Wednesday with a win over bottom-p...

Adidas unveils Trionda, the official ball of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Oct 03, 2025

Trionda’s name captures the spirit of the event: “Tri” reflects the three host countries, while “onda,” meaning wave in Spanish, inspired the ball’s c...

Omar Artan makes history as first Somali referee at FIFA World Cup
Lucy Mumbi  |  Oct 02, 2025

At the U-20 World Cup, he is being supported by Kenyan assistant referee Gilbert Cheruiyot and Abelmiro Montenegro from São Tomé and Príncipe.

South Africa’s World Cup hopes take major hit after FIFA strips win against Lesotho
Bashir Mbuthia  |  Sep 29, 2025

FIFA’s disciplinary committee overturned Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 win from March, ruling that midfielder Teboho Mokoena should not have played as he was se...

Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa begin FIFA U-20 World Cup campaigns in Chile
Bashir Mbuthia  |  Sep 28, 2025

Morocco will be first in action, facing Spain in their Group C opener on Sunday at 11:00 pm at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Ñuñoa.

Rising Starlets cruise past Ethiopia to set up Tanzania clash in World Cup qualifiers
Amina Wako  |  Sep 28, 2025

The emphatic victory sealed a 5-1 aggregate triumph for the hosts, setting up a much-anticipated third-round clash with East African rivals Tanzania.

FKF boss confident in Rising Starlets ahead of Ethiopia World Cup qualifier
Erick Kariuki  |  Sep 18, 2025

Hussein assured the country that the federation had taken all necessary steps to prepare the squad for the upcoming challenge.

Kenya drops two places to 111th as Spain rises in latest FIFA rankings
Bashir Mbuthia  |  Sep 18, 2025

Across Africa, Morocco leads the continent at 11th in the world, moving up one position from the last rankings.

Rising Starlets coach Jackline Juma names squad for Ethiopia clash
Erick Kariuki  |  Sep 18, 2025

Coach Juma has opted for a mix of youth and experience, with several players promoted from the Junior Starlets U-17 team that featured at the FIFA U-1...

Kenyan local football clubs to pocket millions as FIFA extends World Cup rewards
Amina Wako  |  Sep 16, 2025

THe programme will reward teams that release players for both the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the final tournament.

Michael Olunga among Africa’s top scorers in World Cup qualifiers
Erick Kariuki  |  Sep 12, 2025

The towering striker began with a brace in Kenya’s opening game against Seychelles, striking twice away from home.

Race for 2026 FIFA World Cup tickets begins as fans eye historic tournament
Amina Wako  |  Sep 11, 2025

The tournament will be historic on two fronts: it will be the first ever World Cup jointly hosted by three nations – the United States, Canada and Mex...

All-Somali referee team makes history in charge of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier
Bashir Mbuthia  |  Sep 10, 2025

The quartet, led by centre referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan and assisted by Mahad Ali Mohamud Jantalman and Hamza Hagi Abdi, with Kaafi Shiine as fourth...

Benni McCarthy praises ruthless Harambee Stars after 5-0 thumping of Seychelles
Erick Kariuki  |  Sep 09, 2025

McCarthy admitted there was pressure heading into the clash, but praised his players for bouncing back strongly.

Harambee Stars thrash Seychelles 5-0 in dominant World Cup qualifier win
Erick Kariuki  |  Sep 09, 2025

Goals from Ryan Wesley Ogam, Collins Sichenje, and captain Michael Olunga highlighted a convincing display that underlined Kenya’s attacking depth and...

Ethiopia files FIFA complaint against Egypt over fan misconduct in World Cup qualifier
Bashir Mbuthia  |  Sep 08, 2025

Egypt secured the win through two first-half penalties, converted by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush.

Harambee Stars rocked as Abud Omar suspended, Omija misses Seychelles clash
Erick Kariuki  |  Sep 08, 2025

Deputy captain Aboud Omar has been suspended just a day before the fixture, a decision McCarthy said was necessary to preserve discipline within the s...

FKF drops ticket prices to rally fans behind Harambee Stars at Kasarani showdown
Bashir Mbuthia  |  Sep 07, 2025

In a statement on Sunday, FKF announced that Gold category tickets for the September 9 match, set for 4:00 pm, will now cost Sh500 instead of the orig...

Morocco becomes first African team to qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup
Lucy Mumbi  |  Sep 07, 2025

This will be the Atlas Lions’ third consecutive World Cup appearance and their seventh overall since first featuring on the global stage.

Rising Starlets Coach Jackline Juma unveils provisional squad for FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers
Amina Wako  |  Sep 06, 2025

Selection will be based on performance, fitness, and tactical readiness for the double header against Ethiopia.

Harambee Stars’ World Cup dreams fade after 3-1 defeat to Gambia
Erick Kariuki  |  Sep 05, 2025

The Stars eventually found a breakthrough in the 81st minute when Ogam scored the first goal.

McCarthy urges Harambee Stars to fight on after Gabon's win dealt huge blow to Kenya's World Cup dreams
Erick Kariuki  |  Sep 04, 2025

Anything less than three points would end their campaign with two rounds still to play.

Morocco to set up courts in stadiums to tackle fan offences at 2030 World Cup
Bashir Mbuthia  |  Sep 04, 2025

According to Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi, the changes would prevent Moroccan courts from being overwhelmed by cases during the global sporting...

Free entry as Kenya Police Bullets face Kampala Queens in CECAFA opener at Nyayo
Erick Kariuki  |  Sep 03, 2025

Fans have been promised free entry, with CECAFA Competitions Director Yousuf Mossi urging Kenyans to turn out in large numbers to support women’s foot...

Gambia national team arrive in Nairobi ahead of Friday's World Cup qualifier against Kenya
Amina Wako  |  Sep 02, 2025

The match will be Gambia’s second meeting with Kenya in the qualifiers, following their 3-3 draw in March at the Stade Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, C...

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy eyes balance ahead of World Cup qualifiers
Amina Wako  |  Sep 01, 2025

McCarthy said Kenya is closely monitoring emerging talents abroad and, while admitting World Cup qualification is slim with only four games left, stre...

Victor Wanyama backs Benni McCarthy’s squad selection ahead of World Cup qualifiers
Erick Kariuki  |  Aug 29, 2025

The 32-year-old midfielder also spoke about the possibility of making a return to the national team, saying, “When the time is right, then everything...

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy thanks Kenyans for ‘untouchable’ support at CHAN
Erick Kariuki  |  Aug 28, 2025

Speaking at a luncheon hosted by President William Ruto at State House after the team’s return, McCarthy said the fans made the players feel “untoucha...

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy uses social media to address fans' concerns over squad selection
Erick Kariuki  |  Aug 27, 2025

However, the coach chose not to address queries surrounding Austine Odhiambo, who was joint top scorer during CHAN 2024 but missed out on the call-up.

Coach Benni McCarthy unveils Harambee Stars squad as Kenya chases 2026 World Cup dream
Bashir Mbuthia  |  Aug 27, 2025

McCarthy’s final squad features a mix of homegrown and foreign-based players, including debutant goalkeeper Job Ochieng and 13 members of the CHAN sem...

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