The road to U17 World Cup 2027 project will move into its first implementation phase on Sunday, January 25, 2026, when Football Kenya Federation (FKF), in partnership with ACAKORO, hosts an official U15 National Team Scouting Day at the ACAKORO Campus in Ndhiwa, Homabay

According to the FKF statement released on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the scouting exercise, which is open to boys born in 2011, marks the start of a structured, nationwide talent identification programme aimed at building Kenya’s future U17 national team.

Players selected from the scouting process will be enrolled on a long-term development pathway and awarded scholarships at Kenya’s first residential football academy, where they will combine structured education with elite football training.

Maintaining professionalism

FKF Technical Director Francis Kimanzi said the Federation will play an active role in ensuring the exercise is conducted professionally and in line with the project’s long-term objectives.

“This is a step in the right direction for our youth development structures,” Kimanzi said. “We will be on the ground to oversee the entire process and ensure that the scouting is done in a structured, transparent and professional manner. This is about laying a proper foundation for the future of our national teams.”

Speaking ahead of the scouting exercise, ACAKORO General Manager Lukas Mott said the programme is now moving from planning into action.

“We are really looking forward to this and we even have an international scout on the ground to support the process,” Mott said. “We are very happy to see the programme move into the implementation phase. People can now see and believe in it, it is no longer just an idea on paper. From this first phase, we expect to select between 10 and 15 players. This is only the beginning. We are starting with this region and will gradually move into other regions across the country.”

The initiative is designed to create a clear and sustainable pathway from grassroots football to the national teams, with the long-term objective of preparing a strong squad for the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2027.

Basic requirements

FKF and ACAKORO have reminded all players and parents that original birth certificates must be presented upon arrival, and no player will be admitted without the document. Players are also required to come with their own sportswear and football boots.

Participation in the scouting exercise is free of charge, and parents and guardians have been advised to plan their logistics in advance and ensure players arrive on time.

The Ndhiwa scouting exercise is the first in a series of regional activities that will be rolled out across the country as part of the Road to U17 World Cup 2027 talent identification programme.