Kenya’s Harambee Stars have unveiled their final 23-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with midfielder Austin Odhiambo notably absent.
The squad, announced by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) on Tuesday, combines experienced players with fresh talent as the team prepares for the crucial fixtures.
"Your #HarambeeStars squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against The Gambia and Seychelles," FKF said on X.
Odhiambo had been part of recent national team camps but does not feature in the final selection.
Faruk Shikhalo, Brian Bwire, and Bryne Omondi will lead the goalkeeping department, reflecting the technical bench’s intent to maintain stability between the posts.
In defence, the team called up Sylvester Owino, Alphonse Omija, Collins Sichenje, Michael Kibwage, Rooney Onyango, Abud Omar, and Lewis Bandi. The line-up balances seasoned defenders with promising newcomers.
Midfield options include Richard Odada, Alpha Onyango, Duke Abuya, Mansur Okwaro, Timothy Ouma, Ben Stanley, and Marvin Nabwire.
Captain Michael Olunga will spearhead the attack alongside Emmanuel Osoro, Will Lenkupae, Job Ochieng, Boniface Muchiri, and Ryan Ogam, providing a major boost to the team’s goal-scoring prospects.
The Harambee Stars’ preparations have been closely watched by fans eager to see the team perform on the global stage.
The inclusion of key players such as Olunga and Odada has raised expectations for strong performances.
Kenya will aim to navigate a challenging qualification path and potentially make history by reaching their first-ever FIFA World Cup. With a balanced mix of experience, talent, and ambition, the Harambee Stars are set to embark on one of their most important campaigns in recent years.
The full squad announcement marks the final phase of preparations, and attention now turns to the opening qualifier.
However, the omission of Odhiambo has drawn attention on social media.
Fans expressed curiosity about the midfielder’s absence.
On the X platform, Peter Mwangi asked, “What happened to Austo?” while Barak wrote, “Where is Austin Odhiambo?”
Another user, Village Ambassador, commented, “Austin Odhiambo dropped.”
