Harambee Starlets Name 34-Player Provisional Squad for WAFCON 2026 in Morocco

The Harambee Starlets are heading to Morocco! Kenya's women's national football team have announced a 34-player provisional squad for the 2026 TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which has been rescheduled to July 25 — August 16 after the initial March dates were postponed. This is a landmark moment for Kenyan women's football, and the squad selection reflects the growing depth of talent available.

The squad features a blend of seasoned internationals and exciting newcomers. Esse Akida and Cynthia Shilwatso — the heroes of the recent FIFA Women's International Series at Nyayo Stadium where they scored in the 2-0 win over India — are automatic selections. The provisional list also includes several players plying their trade abroad, marking a significant shift in the programme's profile.

Head coach Charles Korir has cast the net wide, calling up players from clubs in Sweden, Turkey, and South Africa. The inclusion of foreign-based professionals adds a new dimension to the squad — these players bring experience of higher-level competition and different tactical systems, which will be invaluable against continental heavyweights like Nigeria, South Africa, and hosts Morocco.

The tournament itself has been expanded to 16 teams for the first time, with Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Egypt joining the field. Kenya are drawn in a competitive group and will need to be at their absolute best to advance beyond the group stage. The experience of playing Australia in the FIFA Series — where the Starlets held their own despite a 2-0 defeat — has been cited by the coaching staff as a crucial confidence-builder.

The provisional squad will be trimmed to 23 before departure to Morocco. Training camp begins in June at Kasarani, with a series of friendly matches planned against regional opponents. For Kenyan football fans, the Starlets' journey to WAFCON represents the continued growth of women's football in the country — fuelled by the electric atmosphere at Nyayo during the FIFA Series and the government's increased investment in women's sport. Twende Morocco — let's go!