Sports

What next for Harambee Stars after shattered dreams for 2026 World Cup?

Saturday 06th September, 2025 08:56 PM| By Luke Oluoch

Kenya’s Harambee Stars suffered a 3-1 defeat to Gambia in the 2026 World Cup Qualifier clash on Friday, September 5, 2025.

The results, a first one for the side following a decent run in the African Nations Championship, effectively ended Kenya’s chances of qualification from the group, with focus now on seeing out the three remaining clashes for the campaign.

Kenya, who hoped to make an appearance in the 23rd edition of the global tournament, had also missed an opportunity to feature in the next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Morocco in 2025, making the next AFCON 2027 games that will be hosted on home soil its immediate targets.

The campaign, which started under former coach Engin Firat, proved yet again to be another unsuccessful stab, as chances to top the group or finish among the four runners-up, proceeding to the playoffs afterwards, remain unattainable.

Harambee Star players celebrate their famous victory against Morocco on Sunday, August 10, 2025 at Kasarani Stadium. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/100063913291982/posts/pfbid02eqssY5JetNDwFoMuGu8khjv9Lib7CtnrNtscdttfEtk3FGSnJtAZ4sqjz6tbfGsl/?app=fbl

The team now angles for the second of the back-to-back clashes on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, against Seychelles.

The clash at Moi Kararani will be Kenya’s seventh in Group F.

On the same day, Nyayo National Stadium will host a Group F clash between The Gambia and Burundi, set to kick off at 10:00 pm under floodlights.

Kenya’s campaign has so far produced one victory, a resounding 5-0 triumph over Seychelles, alongside three draws against Burundi (1-1), Ivory Coast (0-0), and Gambia (3-3).

African champions

The East Africans encountered setbacks in back-to-back 2-1 defeats to Gabon, both home and away, and now against Gambia.

After the Seychelles tie, Kenya will next regroup for an away clash against Burundi on Monday, October 6, 2025.

The clash will see Kenya face its neighbours Burundi in the return leg after the two battled to a 1-1 draw in the first-leg meeting.

The national team will then conclude its campaign with a trip to Abidjan to face the reigning African champions, Ivory Coast, on Monday, September 13, 2025.

The 2026 WC will be staged across three North American nations, including the United States, Mexico, and Canada, from June 11 to July 19, 2026.