Kenya's Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama poses with the African EPL Player of the Month award for September in London on October 23, 2014. PHOTO | COURTESY
Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama believes Kenya could qualify for the 2030 Fifa World Cup to be hosted jointly by Morocco, Portugal and Spain.
However, to achieve this, the 34-year-old, who retired from professional football in April, said Kenya must invest in youth development, and infrastructure.
Speaking in Nairobi on Monday when he was unveiled as the brand ambassador for betting firm 22Bet, Wanyama said: “Kenya’s World Cup dream is still alive. It is realistic. We need to start preparing is now. We have the talent. Let’s expose our players to international standards through high-profile friendlies to help them improve.”
Kenya failed to qualify for this year’s tournament in US, Mexico, and Canada, finishing fourth in Group F with 12 points — 14 behind group winners Côte d’Ivoire and 13 behind second-placed Gabon. The Gambia finished third.
Harambee Stars physiotherapist Musa Hamisi leads players in a work-out during their training session at the Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, on November 11, 2025.
Kenya played ten matches in the six-team group, winning three, drawing three and losing four. The Stars, currently coached by South African Bennie McCarthy, have never qualified for the World Cup. Their closest attempt was in 1990, when they finished their Group B campaign three points behind leaders Egypt, who had eight points. In 1998, they finished third in Group I with 10 points, three behind group winners Nigeria (13 points).
Wanyama said he is currently investing in coaching. “I have completed several coaching courses. One day, I might become a coach, a sporting director or a football analyst. Hopefully, I will become a coach. It would be an honour for me to coach Harambee Stars.”
The former Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Celtic and CF Montréal midfielder has completed his Uefa B Licence, qualifying him to coach youth teams and amateur clubs or work as an assistant coach at professional level. He is currently taking the Uefa A Licence course with the Irish Football Association.
Wanyama plans to put his coaching qualifications into practice at the Wanyama Football Academy, which he co-founded with his older brother, McDonald Mariga.
He said the construction of the academy’s boarding facility in Busia is almost complete. “The academy is about 80 per cent complete. The only remaining work is on the football pitches, which are under construction,” he said.
The academy aims to combine professional football training with formal education to produce well-rounded individuals, creating pathways for talented youngsters to pursue professional careers.
Wanyama earned 64 caps for Kenya, scoring six goals during his nearly two-decade-long international career. He made his senior debut as a teenager in 2007 and was appointed Harambee Stars captain in 2013. He led Kenya to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, ending the country’s 15-year absence from the continental tournament.
Victor Wanyama.
Meanwhile, Wanyama praised the growth of African football and tipped Morocco to win the 2026 Fifa World Cup. “Morocco and Egypt have demonstrated the talent that our continent possesses. By 2030, I believe African football will be in an even better place.”
He added, “Looking at Morocco’s recent performances, I believe they have a lot to offer. They are my favourites to win this World Cup. They play fearless football, attack every opponent and never waver from their style, no matter who they’re playing against.”
Wanyama’s rise through European football was marked by two landmark transfers. In 2011, Scottish giants Celtic signed him from Belgian side Beerschot VAC in a deal worth Sh172.7 million. Five years later, he reunited with the current USA manager, Mauricio Pochettino, at Spurs in a transfer valued at Sh2.6 billion making him one of Kenya’s most expensive football exports.
Reflecting on his journey, Wanyama admitted that succeeding abroad required immense sacrifice and determination.
“Playing in Europe was really tough. But I was determined to improve every day and become a better player,” said Wanyama.
He paid tribute to his elder brother, McDonald Mariga — the only Kenyan to have lifted a Champions League trophy, with Serie A champions Inter Milan — for inspiring him, and his wife and children.
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