Kenya’s Harambee Stars on Friday, September 5, saw their World Cup dream dashed after a 3-1 defeat to Gambia in a decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Kasarani Stadium.
The Scorpions struck first through James Gomez Sinyan before Yankuba Minteh doubled their advantage.
Musa Barrow added a third to seal Gambia’s spot at the World Cup. Kenya’s consolation came from Rodgers Ogam, but it was not enough to alter the outcome.
The result means Kenya will not feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States, Mexico, and Canada will co-host.
The tournament will be the first to feature 48 teams, expanded from the traditional 32. Africa will have nine direct slots, but Kenya will not be among the nations representing the continent.
2026 FIFA World Cup
The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
It will be jointly hosted by 16 cities in three North American countries; the main host country of matches is the United States, while Canada and Mexico will be the auxiliary hosts.
The tournament will be the first to be hosted by three nations. This tournament will be the first to include 48 teams, expanded from 32.
The United 2026 bid beat a rival bid by Morocco during a final vote at the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow. It will be the first World Cup since 2002 to be hosted by more than one nation.
With its past hosting of the 1970 and 1986 tournaments, Mexico will become the first country to host or co-host the men's World Cup three times.
The United States last hosted the men's World Cup in 1994, whereas it will be Canada's first time hosting or co-hosting the men's tournament.
The event will also return to its traditional northern summer schedule after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was held in November and December.
