Kenya's Harambee Starlets have been drawn into Group A of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following the official draw held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, in Rabat, Morocco.
The pool is considered a tough draw for the East African side.
Group A: Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Kenya
The other groups are:
Group B: South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Tanzania
Group C: Nigeria, Malawi, Egypt, Zambia
Group D: Cape Verde, Mali, Cameroon, Ghana
Kenya qualified for the tournament after beating The Gambia 4–1 on aggregate, winning 3–1 in the first leg and 1–0 in the return match. Goals from Mwanalima Adam, Fasila Adhiambo, and Shirleen Opisa were key in the qualifiers.
The tournament will run from March 17 to April 3, 2026, and will also serve as part of the qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Harambee Starlets Group Fixtures
Morocco vs Kenya — March 17, 2026 (Moulay El Hassan Stadium)
Senegal vs Kenya — March 20, 2026 (Moulay El Hassan Stadium)
Algeria vs Kenya — March 23, 2026 (Al Madina Stadium)
Head coach Beldine Odemba welcomed the draw, saying the team is eager to test itself against strong opposition as it continues to grow in women’s football.
The 2026 tournament marks the Harambee Starlets’ return to WAFCON, ten years after their debut in 2016.
