McCarthy’s selection blends experienced local-based and international players as the technical bench continues shaping the squad ahead of upcoming competitive assignments.
Among the notable inclusions is Clarke Oduor (Grimsby Town), who returns to the team after a lengthy absence.
Meanwhile, Zak Vyner (Wrexham) and Zech Obiero, who plays as a midfielder for club Tranmere Rovers on loan from Leyton Orient, will be hoping to make their Harambee Stars debuts during the Series.
Kenya to start camp on March 22
Kenya have been drawn in a competitive group alongside European side Estonia, Caribbean nation Grenada and regional rivals Rwanda.
The FIFA Series will give Harambee Stars an opportunity to build squad chemistry while offering players exposure against teams from different footballing regions.
The team is expected to report to residential camp on March 22 before departing for Rwanda two days later.
The FIFA Series comes at a crucial time as Kenya continues preparations for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in East Africa.
Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will host the 36th edition of the African football tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) from June 19 to July 18.
This edition of the AFCON will be the first to be hosted by three countries, and the first in five decades to be organised in the CECAFA region, since it was hosted by Ethiopia in 1976.
This event is part of the Africa Cup of Nations' 70th anniversary, and it will be the last one to be held in odd-numbered years, as CAF announced in December 2025 that AFCON would become a quadrennial tournament from 2028 onwards.
FIFA Series to feature 48 teams
The 2026 FIFA Series will be the second edition of the FIFA Series, an invitational Association football tournament promoted by FIFA that features friendly matches between national teams from different continental confederations.
It will feature nine different four-team series taking place across eight host countries during the FIFA window of March 23-31. Initially, nine host countries were announced, including Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Puerto Rico, Rwanda and Uzbekistan, with New Zealand joining later.
The 2026 edition of this initiative will feature 48 national teams – representing almost a quarter of FIFA’s 211 Member Associations – competing in 12 groups of four teams each.
The Series brings together teams with a wide range of competitive profiles, from established international sides to emerging football nations, reinforcing FIFA’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable global football development.
All FIFA Series 2026 matches will be broadcast and made available to a global audience, increasing access for fans worldwide and enhancing visibility for participating national teams.
Fixtures for Kenya
Kenya vs Estonia (March 27 | 6PM | Amahoro Stadium)
Winner M1 vs Winner M2 (March 30 | 9PM | Amahoro Stadium)
Loser M1 vs Loser M2 (March 30 | 6PM | Amahoro Stadium)
Kenya squad for FIFA Series
Goalkeepers; Byrne Omondi, Brian Bwire, Ian Otieno.
Defenders; Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Aboud Omar (Kenya Police), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Zak Vyner (Wrexham), Rooney Onyango (Sogndal), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police).
Midfielders; Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Richard Odada (FC Uta Arad), Chris Erambo (Tusker FC), Manzur Suleiman (Stade De Reims).
Strikers; Austine Odhiambo (Nejmeh), William Lenkupae (Unattached), Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad), Mohammed Bajaber (Simba FC), Zech Obiero (Tranmere Rovers), Clarke Oduor (Grimsby Town), Michael Olunga (Al Arabi), Ryan Ogam (Wolfsberger), Lawrence Okoth (SJK Seinajoki).
