Benni McCarthy out to spoil Ivory Coast's 2026 FIFA World Cup party
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 08.10.25. | 11:53
Kenya sit fifth in Group F with nine points and could potentially derail Ivory Coast’s qualification hopes on the final matchday
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy says he is not in a festive mood and will head to Abidjan on Tuesday, determined to beat the Ivory Coast in Kenya’s final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match, scheduled for the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpé Olympic Stadium.
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Kenya, already out of the qualification race, will play their final two matches away from home against Burundi on Thursday, 9 October, and Ivory Coast on Tuesday, 14 October.
However, it is the clash against the reigning Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions that carries the most weight, as it could determine which team secures the automatic qualification spot from Group F for next year’s intercontinental tourney.
The race for automatic qualification has narrowed down to two teams, group leaders Ivory Coast, who have 20 points, and second-placed Gabon with 19, setting up a tense finish.
Ivory Coast face Seychelles on Friday at the National Sports Complex in Mauritius before hosting Kenya in Abidjan, and they are widely expected to dispatch the winless Islanders ahead of the decisive encounter with Harambee Stars.
Gabon, meanwhile, have tougher assignments. They will face The Gambia on Friday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, before hosting Burundi on Tuesday. The Scorpions clash is seen as particularly challenging.
Kenya sits fifth in Group F with nine points and could potentially derail Ivory Coast’s qualification hopes on the final matchday. McCarthy insists his team will not be in Abidjan to do anyone favours.
“We know what is at stake. We’re going into the lion’s den because for Côte d’Ivoire, a win secures automatic qualification, but we’re not here to do favours for anyone. We’re going there to win and take three points.”
Although the Elephants are favourites on paper, McCarthy maintains that football is decided on the pitch.
“Football isn’t played on paper; it’s played on the pitch,” he said. “We’ll play the best football we can, and hopefully, we win. If we have to lose, it must be to a team that has truly outplayed us. They have to earn it.”
The team is currently in Burundi preparing for Thursday’s match.
Harambee Stars squad in Burundi
Goalkeepers: Faruk Shikhalo, Byrne Omondi, Brian Bwire
Defenders: Manzur Suleiman, Vincent Harper, Sylvester Owino, Alphonce Omija, Collins Sichenje, Michael Kibwage, Ronney Onyango, Abud Omar, Daniel Sakari
Midfielders: Alpha Onyango, Duke Abuya, Timothy Ouma, Ben Stanley, Marvin Nabwire, Austine Odhiambo
Wingers: William Lenkupae, Job Ochieng, Boniface Muchiri
Strikers: Michael Olunga, Ryan Ogam, Lawrence Okoth
