Kenya’s U-17 women’s national football team, the Junior Starlets, will kick off their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign against China PR on Monday, October 19, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex – Pitch 1 in Rabat, Morocco.

Head coach Mildred Cheche will be hoping for a strong start as her side prepares to compete on the global stage, with a squad that combines experience from the qualifying campaign with fresh talent eager to make an impact.

Most of the players selected for the tournament featured during Kenya’s successful qualifying journey, while several newcomers have earned their places after impressing during the team’s training camp. Among the new faces are Peninah Fostine and Joan Agola, who have been included to strengthen the squad ahead of the competition.

Mwanakombo Bakari has also linked up with the team in Morocco after arriving from the United States on October 15. However, Faith Boke misses out on the final squad after failing to recover from an injury in time for the tournament. She continues her rehabilitation as she works towards a return to full fitness.

The Junior Starlets travelled to Morocco on October 8, giving them valuable time to acclimatise to the local conditions and prepare for the tournament. Their preparations included two friendly matches against Ghana’s U-17 side and Sporting Club Casablanca, providing the technical bench with an opportunity to assess the team and fine-tune its approach ahead of the opening fixture.

Kenya will face a challenging Group E schedule, beginning with Monday’s encounter against China PR before taking on the United States on October 22. They will conclude their group-stage campaign against Samoa on October 25.

With preparations complete and the squad settled in Morocco, Cheche’s charges will be keen to translate their build-up work into a positive result against China and lay a strong foundation for their World Cup campaign.

Final World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

Mishel Okoyo (Wiyeta Girls), Martha Wekhomba (Nasokol Girls), Vallary Achieng (Nyakach Girls)

Defenders

Namisi Pauline (Desert Scorpions), Grace Mumo (Madira Girls), Bevarline Awuor (Mathare Women), Ruth Mulongo (Wiyeta Girls), Daisy Adongo (Katonje Mix), Brenda Awuor (Madira Girls Primary School), Khatenje Fleviah (St. Joseph's, Kitale)

Midfielders

Bakari Mwanakombo (Spire Academy, USA), Beryl Okumu (Nyakach Girls), Noelina Akuku (Butere Girls), Lindey Weey Atieno (Raila School), Peninah Fostine (Nyakach Girls)

Forwards

Brenda Achieng (Kakamega Hill), Elizabeth Alizeba (Oding' Primary), Emily Adhiambo (Nyakach Girls), Wambui Tabitha (Mathare United Women), Joan Agola (Nyakach Girls), Gaudancia Maloba (LWAK Girls)

Group E fixtures

Kenya vs China PR | 19 October 2026 | Mohammed VI Football Complex | 6 PM EAT

USA vs Kenya | 22 October 2026 | Mohammed VI Football Complex | 9 PM EAT

Samoa vs Kenya | 25 October 2026 | Mohammed VI Football Complex | 9 PM EAT