Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has announced a 24-man squad for the final two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures against Burundi and Ivory Coast next month, Afrosport reports.
The South African tactician has selected a blend of youth and experience, with striker and captain Michael Olunga set to lead the attack alongside Ryan Ogam.
Walsall left-back Vincent Harper has been handed his maiden call-up. The 25-year-old was born in the Kenyan capital city of Nairobi but moved to England as a child and has opted to play for the country of his birth.
Another new inclusion in the squad is striker Lawrence Okoth, who played for the Kenya U-20 squad at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Kenya currently sits fifth in Group F of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup with nine points and have no chance of making it to the finals as they are 11 points behind leaders Ivory Coast and 10 points behind second-placed Gabon.
The East Africans will play Burundi at Intwari Stadium in Bujumbura, on October 9, before concluding the qualifiers against the current AFCON champions Ivory Coast in Abidjan five days later.
Coach Benni McCarthy has named the squad for our final 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast
October 9 – Burundi 🇧🇮
October 14– Ivory Coast 🇨🇮#HarambeeStars pic.twitter.com/DcJEE9U7hC— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) September 26, 2025
Full Kenya Squad
Goalkeepers: Faruk Shikhalo, Byrne Omondi, Brian Bwire
Defenders: Manzur Suleiman, Vincent Harper, Sylvester Owino, Alphonce Omija, Collins Sichenje, Michael Kibwage, Ronney Onyango, Abud Omar, Daniel Sakari
Midfielders: Alpha Onyango, Duke Abuya, Timothy Ouma, Ben Stanley, Marvin Nabwire, Austine Odhiambo
Wingers: William Lenkupae, Job Ochieng, Boniface Muchiri
Strikers: Michael Olunga, Ryan Ogam, Lawrence Okoth
