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Harambee Stars to face Palestine and Kyrgyzstan in June friendlies
17th May, 2026 04:22 PM
Harambee Stars are scheduled to play two international friendlies during the June 2026 international window, the Football Kenya Federation has confirmed.
The male soccer team will travel for the two build-up matches lined up in Central Asia as preparations continue for the upcoming AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
Twin build-up games
Kenya will first face the Kyrgyzstan national football team on June 3, 2026, before taking on the Palestine national football team on June 6, 2026.
Kenya, currently ranked at 111th on the FIFA global rankings, will pit its wits against the Kyrgyzstan side ranked just above them at 107th globally before also facing Palestine, whom they top in the standings.
The fixtures will be the first test for Benni McCarthy’s side since the concluded FIFA Series games in Rwanda in March 2026, where the team finished third in a four-nation tournament.
FIFA Series exploits
Kenya’s journey in the series saw them narrowly miss out on a place in the final following a penalty shootout defeat to the Estonian national football team on March 27, 2026. The match had ended 1-1 in regulation time, forcing a direct penalty shootout, where Estonia edged out Kenya 5-4.
Stars wrapped up their FIFA Series campaign on a high, claiming third place after a commanding 3-0 victory over the Grenada national football team in their final match on March 30, 2026.
Speaking on the fixtures, national teams coordinator Athanus Obala noted that the games will come in handy in boosting the team’s preparation for the upcoming continental games.
“These are nice build-up matches as we continue building up for the upcoming AFCON 2027 qualifiers. The games will give the technical bench a good opportunity to further assess the team and continue strengthening the squad,” Obala stated.
AFCON preps
The fixture confirmation comes as FKF steps up efforts to recruit diaspora players in a strategic move to strengthen Harambee Stars and assemble a more competitive squad capable of challenging Africa’s top football nations.
FKF Vice President McDonald Mariga, alongside Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy, has been leading the delegation of officials courting active players plying their trade in England and other European leagues who are eligible to represent the country through their Kenyan heritage.
The upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
