Junior Starlets head coach Mildred Cheche has officially named her final squad for the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, selecting a group that blends the core of her qualifying campaign with energetic new talent.
The team arrived in Morocco on October 8 and spent a week in camp in Casablanca before traveling to Rabat ahead of their tournament opener.
That extended stay gave the squad valuable time to acclimatize, adapt to local conditions, and fine-tune their approach.
To finalize their preparations, the Starlets played two build-up friendlies against Ghana U17 and Sporting Club Casablanca.
Most of the roster features players who steered Kenya through qualification, supplemented by fresh talent brought in to add depth.
Standouts Peninah Fostine and Joan Agola earned their places after impressing during camp, while US-based midfielder Mwanakombo Bakari arrived on October 15 to join her teammates in Morocco.
Forward Faith Boke missed out on the final selection as she continues her rehabilitation after failing to recover from injury in time.
The Starlets enter the tournament eager to build on their debut performance at the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, where they made history as the first Kenyan football team to participate in and win a match at a FIFA World Cup.
Competing in Group C, Kenya were eliminated in the group stage after finishing third with three points from one win and two losses.
Speaking ahead of their return to the global stage, Cheche stressed that the mindset is not just to participate but to compete.
”The mindset is not just to participate; it is to compete. In 2024 we participated, but in 2026 we need to compete. Because it’s not our first time, it’s the second time, so they(players) need to have a different mindset, a different mentality to win matches not just to participate,” the coach said.
Kenya opens its Group E campaign against China PR on Monday, October 19 at 6:00 PM EAT at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.
They will then face the United States on October 22 at 9:00 PM EAT before taking on Samoa on October 25 at 9:00 PM EAT at the same venue.
Final World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers
Mishel Okoyo (Wiyeta Girls), Martha Wekhomba (Nasokol Girls), Vallary Achieng (Nyakach Girls)
Defenders
Namisi Pauline (Desert Scorpions), Grace Mumo (Madira Girls), Bevarline Awuor (Mathare Women), Ruth Mulongo (Wiyeta Girls), Daisy Adongo (Katonje Mix), Brenda Awuor (Madira Girls Primary School), Khatenje Fleviah (St. Joseph’s, Kitale)
Midfielders
Bakari Mwanakombo (Spire Academy, USA), Beryl Okumu (Nyakach Girls), Noelina Akuku (Butere Girls), Lindey Weey Atieno (Raila School), Peninah Fostine (Nyakach Girls)
Forwards
Brenda Achieng (Kakamega Hill), Elizabeth Alizeba (Oding’ Primary), Emily Adhiambo (Nyakach Girls), Wambui Tabitha (Mathare United Women), Joan Agola (Nyakach Girls), Gaudancia Maloba (LWAK Girls)
