Junior Starlets Face Tough China Test as Kenya Launches FIFA U-17 World Cup Campaign
Kenya’s Junior Starlets are set to begin their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign with a challenging encounter against China as they seek to make a strong impression on the global stage.
Kenya’s Junior Starlets are set to begin their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign with a challenging encounter against China as they seek to make a strong impression on the global stage.
The Kenyan team will face China on Monday, October 19, at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Morocco, with kick-off scheduled for 6pm Kenyan time.
Head coach Mildred Cheche and her players head into the tournament determined to improve on their maiden appearance in 2024, when Kenya finished third in their group after recording one victory and two defeats.
The Junior Starlets have been drawn in Group E alongside China, the United States and Samoa in the 24-team competition, which runs until November 7.
Cheche Targets Knockout Stage
Cheche has challenged her players to approach the tournament with greater confidence and a competitive mentality, emphasising the team’s ambition to progress beyond the group stage.
The coach believes the experience gained during Kenya’s previous World Cup appearance will help the players handle the demands of international competition.
The team arrived in Morocco on October 8 to complete its preparations, including friendly matches intended to assess the squad’s readiness ahead of the tournament.
Kenya recorded a commanding 23-0 victory against Raja Casablanca Women before suffering a 2-1 defeat to Ghana in another preparatory match. Brenda Achieng scored Kenya’s goal against Ghana.
The friendly matches provided the technical bench with an opportunity to assess the players and identify areas requiring improvement, particularly in converting scoring opportunities.
Injury Setback for Junior Starlets
The Kenyan squad has also experienced setbacks ahead of the tournament, with several players missing out because of injuries.
Butere Girls High School forward Faith Boke is among those unavailable after failing to recover in time, while other players were also ruled out of the final squad.
Despite the challenges, the 21-player team combines experienced players with emerging talent expected to contribute to Kenya’s campaign.
Forward Brenda Achieng will be among the players to watch after her impressive performances during the qualifiers, where she played a key role in helping Kenya secure a place at the tournament.
Kenya’s Road to the World Cup
The Junior Starlets secured qualification for the 2026 tournament after an impressive run in the African qualifiers, culminating in a 5-1 aggregate victory over South Africa.
The achievement secured Kenya a second appearance at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, following the team’s historic debut in the Dominican Republic in 2024.
During that tournament, Kenya lost to England and North Korea before registering a 2-1 victory over Mexico.
Crucial Matches Ahead
After facing China, the Junior Starlets will take on the United States on Thursday, October 22, before concluding their group-stage campaign against Samoa on Sunday, October 25.
All three matches will be played in Morocco as Kenya pursues a place in the knockout rounds.
The opening fixture against China presents an important opportunity for Cheche’s side to establish momentum, with the outcome potentially shaping the team’s chances of progressing to the next stage.
With the players determined to build on their previous experience, Kenyan fans will be hoping the Junior Starlets can deliver a memorable performance and advance further than they did in their maiden World Cup campaign.
