Kenya’s Junior Starlets have been dealt an injury setback ahead of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, with four players ruled out of the final squad after failing to recover from injuries sustained during pre-tournament friendlies in Casablanca, Morocco.
Head coach Mildred Cheche dropped Nyakach Girls defender Idah Matara, Wiyeta Girls midfielder Clarice Demba, and forwards Faith Boke of Butere Girls and Patience Waithere of St Joseph’s Girls, Murang’a, from the final squad named today.
The four players were part of the initial 24-player squad that travelled for preparations in October. They picked up injuries during friendly matches against Sporting Club Casablanca and Ghana’s U-17 team.
Boke remains sidelined as she continues her rehabilitation in a bid to regain full fitness.
The final squad blends experience with emerging talent, with most of the players having featured in Kenya’s World Cup qualifying campaign. Newcomers Peninah Fostine and Joan Agola have also earned places after impressing during training camp.
Mwanakombo Bakari, who arrived from the United States on October 15, has linked up with the team in Morocco ahead of the global tournament, which runs from October 17 to November 7, 2026.
The Junior Starlets have been drawn in Group E alongside the United States, Samoa and China. Kenya will open its campaign against China on October 19 before facing its other group opponents.
The top two teams in each group, alongside the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 16.
As they prepare for the tournament, the Starlets will be looking to sharpen their attacking play, maintain tactical discipline and compete strongly against their group opponents.
This will be Kenya’s second appearance at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The Starlets made their debut in the 2024 edition in the Dominican Republic, where they were eliminated in the group stage.