By Mark Kinyanjui
NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 23 – Kenya’s Harambee Stars will take on European opposition in March after being confirmed for the 2026 FIFA Series.
Stars will be taking part in the FIFA international series. This is a global initiative designed to provide national teams with intercontinental exposure.
Benni McCarthy’s men have been drawn in Group A alongside Estonia (UEFA), Grenada (CONCACAF), and hosts Rwanda (CAF).
All matches will be staged at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda, between March 23 and 31, 2026.
The Road to AFCON 2027 Starts in Kigali
The FIFA Series comes at a crucial time for Kenya. As co-hosts of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Uganda and Tanzania, the Stars are in a race against time to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
These matches offer a rare opportunity for the technical bench to assess the squad against diverse playing styles—moving away from traditional African opposition to face the tactical discipline of Estonia and the flair of the Caribbean’s Grenada.
The matches will allow the technical bench to assess players, build team chemistry, and expose the squad to diverse styles of play as preparations for the continental showpiece gather momentum.
Harambee Stars Fixture Dates and Format
The FIFA Series follows a friendly-match format designed to minimize travel strain while maximizing competitive quality.
Match 1: Kenya vs. Estonia
Date: March 27, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM (EAT)
Venue: Kigali, Rwanda
Following the clash with Estonia, Harambee Stars will play a second match on either March 30 or 31 against either Rwanda or Grenada, depending on the results of the opening fixtures (Winner vs. Winner or Loser vs. Loser format).
