Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche has named a 30-player provisional squad for Kenya’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco from October 17 to November 7.
Cheche has retained most of the players who helped Kenya qualify for the 24-nation tournament after the Junior Starlets humbled South Africa 5-1 on aggregate in the final qualifying round.
The coach has also enlisted new faces following scouting at school competitions, including the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Ball Games.
The 30 players will report to a residential camp, where the technical bench will assess their fitness and form before selecting the final 25 for the World Cup.
Kenya secured qualification after overwhelming Namibia 7-1 on aggregate and Uganda on the away-goals rule following a 1-1 draw and a goalless second leg. They then saw off South Africa 5-1 on aggregate, with Faith Boke and Brenda Achieng’ scoring in Pretoria before Kenya struck three second-half goals in the return leg.
The Junior Starlets have been drawn in Group E alongside the 2024 bronze medalists USA, China PR, who reached Roubd of 16 last year, and Samoa who will be making their second consecutive appearance after making debut in 2025.
Kenya, who are also making their second successive World Cup appearance after making debut in 2024 in Dominican Republic, will open their campaign against China on October 19, meet the Americans on October 22 and complete the group stage against Oceania side Samoa on October 25.
Kenya lost to England 2-0 and North Korea 3-0 before defeating Mexico 2-1 in their first appearance at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2024.
Kenya's provisional squad:
Goalkeepers: Mishel Okoyo (Wiyeta Girls), Martha Wekhomba (Nasokol Girls), Vallary Achieng (Nyakach Girls);
Defenders: Namisi Pauline (Desert Scorpions), Jael Nanjala (Kitale School), Idah Matara (Nyakach Girls), Idah Akinyi (Kobala School), Grace Mumo (Madira Girls), Bevarline Awuor (Mathare Women), Ruth Mulongo (Wiyeta Girls), Daisy Adongo (Katonje Mix), Brenda Awuor (Madira Girls Primary School), Khatenje Fleviah (St Joseph’s, Kitale);
Midfielders: Bakari Mwanakombo (Kombani School), Beryl Okumu (Nyakach Girls), Noelina Akuku (Butere Girls), Iffy Norah, Lindey Weey Atieno (Raila School), Peninah Fostine (Nyakach Girls), Clarice Demba (Wiyeta Girls);
Forwards: Brenda Achieng (Kakamega Hill), Elizabeth Alizeba (Oding’ Primary), Emily Adhiambo (Nyakach Girls), Wambui Tabitha (Mathare United Women), Faith Boke (Butere Girls), Patience Waithera (St Joseph’s Girls, Murang’a), Joan Agola (Nyakach Girls), Marcy Awuor (Butere Girls), Gaudancia Maloba (LWAK Girls), Ivy Atieno (Wiyeta Girls).
Group E fixtures
Kenya v China PR — October 19, 5.00pm EAT
USA v Kenya — October 22, 8.00pm EAT
Samoa v Kenya — October 25, 8.00pm EAT
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