Advertisement
TikTok responds after Kenyan grandmothers appeal to be included in the World Cup
17th July, 2026 10:16 PM
TikTok, the popular video-sharing platform, has responded after a group of Kenyan grandmothers appealed for the creation of a FIFA World Cup competition for elderly women, saying they hope to one day compete on football’s biggest stage.
The platform reacted after a popular USA newspaper shared a video highlighting the inspiring journey of the Maiani Soccer Grannies, a team of elderly women from Makueni who have embraced football later in life to improve their health, build friendships and challenge stereotypes about ageing.
In a light-hearted comment shared under the video on Friday, July 17, 2026, TikTok said the grandmothers deserved to have their own football league as soon as possible.
“They need a league asap,” TikTok wrote.
Life-changing hobby
In the video, the grandmothers explained why they took up football at an advanced age and expressed hope that one day elderly women from across the world would have their own World Cup tournament.
Juliana Mulandi, the chairlady of the Maiani Soccer Grannies, said watching the ongoing FIFA World Cup had inspired them even more to pursue their dream of representing older women on the global stage.
She expressed hope that women of their age would eventually have a World Cup of their own, saying they enjoy watching international football and closely follow the tournament.
“We are hoping that one day, as women, we will have a World Cup for grannies. We’ve been watching the World Cup, and it is so exciting to see them playing,” she said.
Juliana revealed that she had been supporting DR Congo during this year’s competition, adding that although the team had been eliminated, she admired their performance and believed they had played well.
“We love our young men on the field, and we admire them. Personally, I have been supporting DR Congo. Although they were defeated, I know they played a very good game,” she shared.
Another player, Peninah Wambua, shared how football transformed her life after years of struggling with health complications.
She revealed that before joining the team, she frequently experienced body pains and persistent high blood pressure that affected her daily life.
Peninah said she only began playing football in 2026 and has since witnessed significant improvements in her health.
“I started playing football in 2026. Before I started playing, I used to experience a lot of body pains. I was never feeling well, and my blood pressure was always high,” Peninah shared.
She explained that the regular exercise has eased her physical discomfort, helped stabilise her health and enabled her to comfortably walk long distances without experiencing the difficulties she once faced.
The grandmother added that she now feels stronger than before and hopes the healthier lifestyle will help her live longer.
“But after I started playing, I have improved a lot. I no longer have those problems, and now I can even walk long distances. I am hopeful that I will live a long life,” she added.
In a separate video by AP, Juliana explained that the football team was formed after many of the women retired and began experiencing health challenges associated with ageing.
She said the women regularly gather to play football, sing together and encourage one another, adding that by the time they return home, they feel happier, healthier and less stressed.
Juliana noted that the team has since grown beyond casual training sessions and now participates in football tournaments against other groups of elderly women, giving members an opportunity to remain active while enjoying friendly competition.
“This group was formed out of necessity for those of us who had retired and were becoming fairly idle in life while facing many health challenges. We came together in search of better health so that we could stay healthy, reduce the fat in our bodies, and socialise. We come together, play together, and sing together. By the time we go home, we are no longer stressed, and we feel good about ourselves. Beyond that, we have now progressed to playing in tournaments with other groups of grandmothers,” Juliana added.
The Maiani Soccer Grannies have an average age of around 60 years, with many members saying football has not only improved their physical health but also helped them develop meaningful friendships and regain confidence after retirement.
Author
Steve Ireri
Steve is a senior writer with over four years of experience in digital journalism. His focus is on the showbiz and human interest stories. Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]
View all posts by Steve Ireri
