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Kenyan referee Josephine Wanjiku selected to officiate in U17 World Cup
24th June, 2026 10:17 AM
Kenya’s centre referee Josephine Wanjiku has been selected among the match officials to officiate at the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has confirmed the official’s appointment on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, while conveying its congratulations for the feat.
The tenth edition of the global junior competition will kick off on October 17, 2026, in Rabat.
“Congratulations to Josephine Wanjiku on her selection to officiate at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, set to kick off on 17 October 2026.
FKF wishes her all the best as she takes her place among the elite match officials in world football,” part of the FKF statement read.
Wanjiku is coming off a fine season after winning the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League’s best centre referee of the season in the end-of-season awards gala held on June 4, 2026, in Nairobi.
Two selected from Africa
The new role adds to her elite coaching profile in youth tournaments. She was among those called up for the U17 Women’s World Cup in Egypt in October 2025, joining Yacine Samasa from Mauritania as the only centre referees from Africa selected by FIFA to officiate the matches.
The whistleblower also participated in several Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier clashes in 2025. She took charge of the clash between Zambia and DR Congo and Chad vs Senegal on February 21, 2025, in Côte d’Ivoire.
This U17 championship will be the second edition of the tournament with 24 teams: 4 from Asian Football, 4 from CONCACAF, 4 from CONMEBOL, 2 from OFC, 5 from UEFA, and 5 from CAF, including the hosts.
