Kenya will welcome back international football at home this September as the Harambee Stars prepare to host two vital 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The matches, scheduled against The Gambia on Friday, September 5 and Seychelles on Tuesday, September 9, will mark a significant return for Kenyan football fans. For much of the qualifying campaign, Kenya had been forced to stage “home” fixtures in Malawi due to stadiums in Nairobi failing to meet CAF and FIFA requirements. With Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums now cleared, Nairobi is once again set to be the stage for World Cup action.
The fixtures are expected to attract large crowds, particularly with Harambee Stars playing at home for the first time in months.
Kenya sits in a challenging Group F alongside Ivory Coast, Gabon, Burundi, The Gambia, and Seychelles. Only the group winners are guaranteed a place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the four best runners-up across the nine groups advancing to a playoff.
The Stars’ performance in September will be pivotal. Victories over The Gambia and Seychelles could lift Kenya higher up the standings and keep their World Cup dream alive. Dropped points, however, could leave the team with a mountain to climb, given the presence of continental giants such as Ivory Coast in the group.
The return to Kasarani is expected to create a charged atmosphere. Local supporters have long demanded a chance to back the team at home, and the upcoming fixtures provide that opportunity. The federation has encouraged fans to turn out in large numbers, promising a secure and family-friendly environment.
Nyayo Stadium will also feature in September’s schedule, hosting the The Gambia vs Burundi fixture under floodlights—an additional boost for local football enthusiasts who will witness multiple high-level international games within the capital.
With key players expected to be called up from both local and international clubs, the Harambee Stars will look to deliver strong performances on home soil.