Kenya Set to Host Gambia and Seychelles in Crucial World Cup Qualifiers at Kasarani
Kenya’s national football team, the Harambee Stars, will play their next round of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on home soil after FIFA confirmed two fixtures will be staged in Nairobi next month.
The Stars are scheduled to face The Gambia on September 5 before meeting Seychelles on September 9, with both matches to be held at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
This announcement comes as a boost to the team, which has not played home World Cup qualifiers in several years due to past stadium compliance issues. The return of such high-profile games to Kasarani is seen as a morale lift for both the players and local fans eager to rally behind the national side.
Kenya currently sits in fourth place in Group F with six points. Ivory Coast leads the group with 16 points, while Burundi and Gambia occupy the second and third spots, respectively.
With just a handful of qualifying matches left, every point is critical if Kenya is to keep alive its slim chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
The Harambee Stars will be hoping to capitalize on their home advantage, especially under the stewardship of new coach Benni McCarthy, whose arrival has been credited with injecting fresh energy into the squad.
Kenya’s strong showing in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) has raised optimism that the team can translate its regional success into the World Cup qualifying campaign.
In addition to Kenya’s fixtures, Nairobi will host the Gambia versus Burundi clash on September 9 at Nyayo Stadium. That game could have direct implications for Kenya’s standing in the group, making it an equally important contest to follow.
For the Harambee Stars, the September matches are about points and re-establishing their dominance at home and showing progress in front of passionate local supporters. With the country starved of major international football for years, the return of competitive qualifiers to Kasarani is expected to draw huge crowds and bring a renewed sense of pride to the national game.
Tags: Chan Harambee Stars
