Former Harambee Starlets defender earns key 2026 FIFA World Cup assignment
Former Harambee Starlets defender Terry Ouko has secured a prestigious position with FIFA ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being named Sustainability and Human Rights Venue Manager at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, United States.
The appointment places the Kenyan football administrator at the center of efforts to ensure the tournament venue upholds the highest standards of inclusion, safety, human rights, and environmental responsibility during the global football spectacle.
Key roles
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In her new capacity, Ouko will oversee initiatives aimed at creating a secure and welcoming atmosphere for all individuals attending matches, regardless of their nationality, background, or identity.
Speaking about her responsibilities, Ouko emphasised the importance of making every visitor feel valued and protected.
“My responsibility in Atlanta is to ensure that everyone who walks into the stadium feels protected, respected and genuinely welcomed,” Ouko told FIFA in an exclusive interview.
She further highlighted that the role extends beyond ordinary venue management, stressing the significance of safeguarding human dignity and promoting equal treatment for everyone involved in the tournament.
“This is not just about managing a venue; it is about protecting dignity, promoting equality, and ensuring sustainability is not a slogan but a lived reality at a World Cup stage,” Ouko said.
As Sustainability and Human Rights Venue Manager, Ouko will be tasked with protecting vulnerable groups, including children, while ensuring that workers, supporters, and other stakeholders are treated fairly and with respect.
Her duties will also include championing diversity and inclusion, combating racism and bullying, and promoting environmentally sustainable practices within stadium operations. In addition, she will help enforce FIFA’s standards through venue inspections, monitoring discriminatory behavior, addressing hate speech, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations during matchdays.
Vast experience
Ouko brings extensive experience to the position. Beyond her playing career with Harambee Starlets, she has served as Vice President of the Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA), contributed to policy development for women’s football at the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and led advocacy and communication initiatives across Africa.
Terry Ouko also sits on the 9International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) board. She is the Vice Chairperson of the Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee, and is also involved in Women and Youth Development structures under the Africa Beach Soccer Union (ABSU).
Her latest achievement marks another milestone in a career that has seen her transition from the football pitch to influential leadership roles within the global game. Terry Ouko’s appointment has been widely celebrated among Kenyan football supporters, who view it as a major achievement for both Ouko and the country.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium matches
The Atlanta facility will host five group stage matches of the 2026 World Cup.
June 15: Spain vs Cape Verde
June 18: South Africa vs Czechia
June 21: Spain vs Saudi Arabia
June 24: Morocco vs Haiti
June 27: Uzbekistan vs DR Congo
Beyond the group stage, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium will also stage a Round of 32 match on July 1, a Round of 16 fixture on July 7, and a semifinal on July 15, 2026.
