Kenya has named a 14-player squad to represent the country at the inaugural FIFA U15 Boys World Cup and Festival, scheduled to begin in Baku, Azerbaijan, on October 22, 2026.
Head coach Patrick Nyale has selected the young players for the international competition, which is expected to bring together 191 national teams divided into 32 groups.
Kenya has been drawn against Malta, Niger, North Macedonia, Panama and Chad in the opening phase of the tournament. The young Harambee Stars will aim to deliver strong performances as they compete against teams from different parts of the world.
The competition will introduce a different format from traditional FIFA tournaments. Teams will play eight-a-side football on reduced pitches measuring 68 metres by 50 metres. Each match will consist of two 20-minute halves, with rolling substitutions permitted throughout the game.
Players born in 2011 and 2012 are eligible to participate, while every team is allowed to register a maximum of 14 players and six officials.
The opening stage will follow a round-robin format, with teams playing four or five matches against their respective opponents. Their results will determine their placement in six performance tiers, ranging from Tier A to Tier F.
Unlike conventional tournaments, where teams are eliminated after losing matches, the competition will allow all participating sides to continue playing beyond the opening phase. Teams will play another four or five matches against opponents placed in the same performance tier.
The team that finishes at the top of Tier A will be crowned the inaugural FIFA U15 Boys World Cup and Festival champion.
Kenya’s squad features players drawn from several learning institutions across the country.
Kenya U15 squad
Goalkeepers: Elvis Odhiambo (Kisumu Day), Raudge Johnstone (St. Mary’s Yala).
Defenders: Alpha Amieno Omega (Plainsview Academy), Griffins Ndavi (Butere Boys), Junior Otieno (St. Antony Boys Kitale), Bleza Barack (Icipe JSS).
Midfielders: Silas Juma (Butere Boys), Innocent Media (St. Joseph’s Kitale), Abdirahim Mohammed (Boys Town, Garissa), Javan Ochieng (St. Joseph’s Kitale).
Forwards: Dancan Muya (Bwake Boys), Lewis Wafula (Mumias Central JSS), Roy Clinton (St. Antony Kitale), Erick Masika Mamati (St. Joseph’s Kitale).
The tournament offers Kenya’s emerging football talents an opportunity to gain international experience while testing their abilities against their peers from around the world.
