The East African sporting community is buzzing with excitement following FIFA’s decision to confirm Kenya as the host for the FIFA Women’s Series 2026.
Announced on March 24, 2026, this decision marks a historic milestone as it is the first time Kenya will host a FIFA-sanctioned international football tournament. Sports officials are hailing the move as a “massive achievement” and a pivotal moment for the growth of women’s football in the region.
During a press briefing at Talanta Plaza in Nairobi, the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, Salim Mvurya, expressed his profound pride in the selection.
“I am delighted that Kenya has been chosen to host the 2026 FIFA Women’s Series matches,” Mvurya stated. “This reflects the high level of confidence the world has in our hosting capabilities and confirms what has been witnessed repeatedly: Kenya’s ability to organize world-class sporting events.”
Scheduled to take place from April 11 to April 15, 2026, the tournament will see Kenya’s national team, the Harambee Starlets, compete against teams from various parts of the globe. Kenya will welcome the national teams of Australia, India, and Malawi to the historic Nyayo National Stadium.
The FIFA Series is a new initiative designed to bring together national teams from different confederations that do not typically meet in the standard international calendar. By facilitating these cross-continental friendly matches, FIFA aims to provide emerging football nations with high-level experience and global exposure.
The tournament in Kenya will follow a “Final Four” format, consisting of two semi-finals, a third-place playoff, and a grand final. This selection comes at a strategic time as Kenya prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Extensive renovations are currently underway at both the Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums to ensure they meet the “Category 4” standards set by CAF and FIFA.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed noted that the FIFA Series serves as a perfect test for the country’s organizational readiness. “This international recognition will stimulate our tourism and position Kenya as a powerhouse in football,” he remarked.
While the Harambee Starlets (ranked 133rd) and Malawi (153rd) are the lower-ranked participants, the tournament offers a rare opportunity to test their skills against elite teams like Australia (ranked 15th) and India (ranked 67th).
