Newly-appointed Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has made an ambitious promise to lead Kenya to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada.
McCarthy’s declaration of hope resembles a miracle pledge, as Kenya currently sits fourth in Group F of the qualifiers with just four points from four matches.
Ivory Coast leads the group with ten points and are widely considered favourites to advance. This also means Kenya will have to win all their remaining six matches and hope that their opponents falter.
Kenya’s journey in the qualifiers began with a 2-1 loss to Gabon, followed by a resounding 5-0 victory over Seychelles. Subsequent draws against Burundi and Ivory Coast left the team in a precarious position.
Now, Kenya must win their upcoming matches—an away fixture against The Gambia and a home clash with Gabon in Nairobi—to breathe new life into their World Cup qualification hopes.
Speaking on Monday during his unveiling as the new head coach, McCarthy emphasized his desire to bring the World Cup experience to Kenya.
