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Kenya’s Harambee Starlets are flying to France to chase African glory
President William Ruto hands over the Kenyan flag to Harambee Starlets captain Mwanalima Adam at State House, Nairobi, on July 14, 2026.
Kenya’s Harambee Starlets will depart the country on Wednesday, July 15, for Miramas, France, for a five-day training camp in preparation for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).
The women’s continental football showpiece will be held in Morocco from July 26 to August 16.
Kenya will be making their second African finals appearance.
After two weeks of residential training in Nairobi, the Starlets have opted for the serenity of a French city with “similar weather” to Morocco as they look to get beyond the group stages in Africa.
Speaking during yesterday’s training session, Starlets coach Beldine Odemba said the Miramas camp will be important in helping the players adapt to conditions similar to those they expect to encounter in Morocco.
“It will be a period of acclimatization for us because we have been told that the weather where we are going is similar to that of Morocco. This will help the girls prepare well for the tournament,” said Odemba.
Harambee Starlets coach Beldine Odemba during their 2026 WAFCON Qualifiers against Gambia at Nyayo National Stadium on October 24,2025.
The coach added that the camp will also allow the team to improve physically and strengthen their mentality ahead of the competition.
“This will help them get physically ready, and it will also be a time for us to work a lot on their mentality so that they are prepared for the challenges ahead,” she added.
Starlets’ decision to hold their final preparations in Miramas follows a visit to the French city by FKF President Hussein Mohammed in January.
Hussein, accompanied by FKF Vice President McDonald Mariga and National Executive Committee (NEC) members Kerubo Momanyi and Abdallah Yusuf, paid a courtesy call on Frédéric Vigouroux, the Mayor of Miramas, and toured the city’s sports and training facilities.
In a post on his socials, Hussein said: “We are engaging institutions that continue to set the standard in youth development, elite training environments, and professional football structures. The objective is clear: to expose our national teams to the best systems in the world and lay the groundwork for meaningful technical cooperation for the future of Kenyan football.”
It remains unclear whether the Starlets will use the same facilities visited by FKF officials or whether the team will play any friendly matches in France.
Harambee Starlets players are welcomed by traditional dancers upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi from Senegal on October 29, 2025.
President William Ruto challenged the Starlets to make history in Morocco when he hosted them for breakfast at State House, Nairobi and presented them with the national flag.
World Cup-bound Kenya Under-17 women’s team were also guests of Ruto at the same function.
The Head of State challenged the teams to aim higher and make history at the international stage, saying that both sides had already achieved historic milestones by qualifying for the two major tournaments for the second time.
The Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup will be held in Morocco from October 17 to November 7.
“You are going to Morocco to wear the colours of Kenya on the biggest stage in world football. There is no greater honour for any sportsperson than representing your country before the world,” said Ruto.
The President praised Junior Starlets coached by Mildred Cheche for their fighting spirit during their final World Cup qualifier against South Africa at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, where they recovered from a goal down at half-time to win 3-1 and seal a 5-1 aggregate victory.
“That goal carries a lesson far greater than football. It reminds us that when young people are given an opportunity and trusted, they can achieve great things,” said Ruto.
He praised Cheche for becoming the first Kenyan football coach to guide a national team to the World Cup twice.
“When you step onto the pitch in Morocco and the Kenyan flag is raised, remember that badge is bigger than football. It carries the dreams of millions of Kenyans. Go and make history once again,” Ruto told the players.
Junior Starlets players celebrate after scoring against South Africa to qualify for the FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on July 12, 2026.
Kenya are in Group “A” together with hosts Morocco, Senegal, and Algeria.
Their Wafcon campaign begins against Morocco on March 17, followed by Senegal on March 20, both at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat. They will conclude the group assignments against Algeria on March 23 at the Al Medina Stadium, Rabat.
Semifinalists will earn spots in the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
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