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McCarthy names Harambee Stars provisional squad for 2026 World Cup qualifiers
New Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy (right) and Harambee Starlets coach Beldine Odemba during his unveiling in Nairobi on March 3, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Kenya will face the Gambia away on March 20 before hosting Gabon three days later. Harambee Stars are currently ranked fourth in Group 'F' with five points from four matches.
- African champions Ivory Coast lead the standings with 10 points, followed by Gabon (nine), Burundi (four), Gambia (three), and Seychelles, who are yet to register a point.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has named a 49-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against the Gambia and Gabon, introducing several new faces to the national team.
AFC Leopards attacking midfielder Kelly Madada, Australia-born midfielder William Lenkupae, and Pamba Jiji FC striker Mathew Tegisi are among the fresh call-ups. Tegisi, who was outstanding during his stint with Shabana before joining Tanzanian Premier League side Pamba Jiji in January, is set to bolster Kenya’s attacking options.
The youthful inclusions continue with Mara Sugar midfielder Mathias Isogol, Edward Omondi, Andreas Odhiambo, and Gor Mahia’s Ben Stanley also earning their first call-ups.
Despite injecting new talent into the squad, McCarthy has retained key regulars, with Gor Mahia contributing the highest number of players—seven in total. Familiar faces in the team include Al Duhail striker and captain Michael Olunga, Masoud Juma, Richard Odada, Amos Nondi, and Elvis Rupia, who makes a return to the national setup.
McCarthy, who took over from Engin Firatt, has emphasised youth development in his selections. The team is set to enter camp on Wednesday ahead of the crucial fixtures.
Kenya will face the Gambia away on March 20 before hosting Gabon three days later. Harambee Stars are currently ranked fourth in Group 'F' with five points from four matches.
African champions Ivory Coast lead the standings with 10 points, followed by Gabon (nine), Burundi (four), Gambia (three), and Seychelles, who are yet to register a point.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers
Brian Opondo (Tusker FC), Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Ian Otieno (Richards Bay), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City)
Defenders
Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Siraj Mohamed (Bandari FC), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC), Levis Esambe (AFC Leopards SC), Eric Ouma (Raków Częstochowa), Johnstone Omurwa (Kapaz fc), Joseph Okumu (Stade Reims), Collins Sichenje (FK Vojvodina), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg FF), Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch), Amos Nondi (Ararat)
Midfielders
Brian Musa (Kenya Police FC), Chris Erambo (Tusker FC), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia), Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards SC), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia), Mathias Isogoli (KCB FC), Andreas Odhiambo (Kariobangi Sharks), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Richard Odada (OFK Beograd), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Timothy Ouma (Slavia Prague), Apollo Otieno (Dodoma Jiji), Amos Nondi (FC Ararat), Eric Johanna (UTA Arad), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar Khorramabad), Ismail Gonzalez (Merida AD), William Lenkupae (Central Coast Mariners)
Forwards
Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), James Kinyanjui (KCB FC), Alvin Mang’eni (Kenya Police FC), Mohamed Bajaber (Kenya Police FC), Eric Balecho (Tusker FC), Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC), Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Edward Omondi (Sofapaka FC), Elvis Rupia (Singida Blackstars), John Avire (Porto Suez), Jonah Ayunga (St Mirren), Michael Olunga (Al-Duhail), Mathew Tegisi (Pamba Jiji), Masud Juma (Esteghlal FC)