The Harambee Stars will finally play on home soil again. FIFA has confirmed that Kenya will host two key 2026 World Cup Qualifier matches at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, next month.
Kenya will face The Gambia on September 5 and Seychelles on September 9. These are crucial fixtures for Harambee Stars, who sit fourth in Group F with six points, ten behind leaders Ivory Coast.
It is a major boost because the national team has not played World Cup qualifiers at home in years. For long, Kenya had been forced to host matches abroad because the stadiums were in poor condition and could not meet FIFA or CAF standards.
Apart from Kenyaβs fixtures, Nairobi will also host the Gambia vs Burundi qualifier on September 9 at Nyayo Stadium. This is because Gambiaβs Independence Stadium failed CAF and FIFA inspection. The Gambia Football Federation (GAMFOOT) confirmed they will use Kenya as their home ground.
The decision shows the value of the heavy investment in Kenyan stadiums. Both Kasarani and Nyayo were renovated and approved by CAF and FIFA. They are already hosting matches in the ongoing CHAN 2024 tournament, which has given them a strong test.
President William Rutoβs government has pumped billions into sports facilities. The Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, with a capacity of 60,000, has undergone massive renovations costing Sh6.7 billion. Defence CS Soipan Tuya, whose ministry supervised the works, said the first phase cost Sh3.1 billion while the second took Sh3.6 billion.
The upgrades are visible. Kasarani now has a canopy roof, new floodlights with 3,000 Lux, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) cameras, and Perimeter Advertising Boards. The media tribunes have been modernized with power, internet, and broadcast facilities. There are dedicated areas for TV and radio commentary, an OB van zone, and a new VAR control room.
Inside, the stadium boasts improved changing rooms with lockers, showers, tactical boards, and charging points. VIP, VVIP, and regular seating have been modernized, with backrests and cushioned areas for comfort. Training grounds like Kasarani Annex A and B have also been upgraded.
The renovations were part of preparations for Kenyaβs co-hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Kasarani was closed in August 2023, and works were completed in time for CHAN 2024. The stadium passed CAF inspection and was officially handed over earlier this year.
This is a big turnaround. In 2021, CAF banned both Kasarani and Nyayo from hosting qualifiers for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, citing poor standards. Back in 2017, Kenya also lost the chance to host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) because the stadia were incomplete. CAF President Ahmad Ahmad famously accused Kenyan officials of being untruthful about the progress.
Those failures are now behind. President Ruto has prioritized sports infrastructure, even launching the new Talanta Hela Stadium project, which is already 75% complete. Once ready, it will further boost Kenyaβs hosting capacity.
For Harambee Stars, playing at home will be a huge lift. The team, under new coach Benni McCarthy, impressed during CHAN 2024 and now hopes to build on that form. Facing Gambia and Seychelles in front of Kenyan fans gives them a real chance to climb the Group F table.
Gambia, led by former Gor Mahia coach Jonathan McKinstry, will also be familiar with Kasarani and Nyayo. McKinstry knows the Kenyan grounds well, and he will rely on support from Gor fans living in Nairobi as they face Burundi.
Featured image via Screengrab