Former Harambee Starlets defender lands key FIFA World Cup role
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 09.06.26. | 08:17
Her appointment places her at the heart of one of the World Cup’s key venues ahead of the tournament set to kick off this week
Harambee Stars will not represent the country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and neither will Kenyan international referees take to the field at the tournament.
Yet, even in the absence of direct sporting participation, the country will still carry a presence on football’s grandest stage through a landmark administrative appointment that underscores the growing influence of Kenyan professionals in global football governance.
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The representation is courtesy of former Harambee Starlets defender, Terry Ouko, who has been appointed by FIFA as the Sustainability and Human Rights Venue Manager at the iconic Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Her appointment places her at the heart of one of the World Cup’s key venues ahead of the tournament set to kick off this week amid global anticipation and high expectations.
Ouko is widely respected within Kenyan football circles not only for her playing career, but also for her evolution into a multi-dimensional football administrator.
A former national team defender, she later transitioned into sports journalism before fully immersing herself in football governance and development work.
Over the years, she has built an impressive portfolio that includes serving as Vice President of the Kenya Footballers’ Welfare Association (KEFWA) and being a member of the FIFPRO board.
Additionally, she has held leadership positions within the Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee as well as the Women and Youth Development Committee under the Africa Beach Soccer Union (ABSU).
Speaking about her appointment, Ouko reflected on the deeper meaning of football beyond competition and results, emphasizing its power as a unifying force across cultures, identities and communities:
“Football has always been more than a game to me. It is a space where people from every background meet as equals. My responsibility in Atlanta is to ensure that everyone who walks into that stadium feels protected, respected and genuinely welcomed.”
In her expanded role at the World Cup, Ouko will operate at the matchday leadership level, ensuring that FIFA’s core principles around inclusion, safeguarding and environmental responsibility are not just policy documents but actively implemented realities.
Her work will involve coordinating anti-discrimination measures, enforcing safeguarding standards and ensuring sustainability practices are embedded in the daily operations of the venue.
Describing the significance of the role on a global stage, she emphasized that it carries responsibility far beyond routine stadium management, touching on the very values that define the modern game:
“This is not just about managing a venue. It is about protecting dignity, promoting equality, and ensuring sustainability is not a slogan but a lived reality at a World Cup stage. We owe it to the players, the fans, and the generations coming after us.”
She further noted that the true measure of success at such a tournament cannot be limited to goals scored or matches won, but must include the long-term impact left behind in communities and institutions connected to the event:
“Success will not only be measured by what happens on the pitch. It will be defined by the legacy we leave behind, the communities we impact and the standards we set for future tournaments.”
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium, branded as Atlanta Stadium for the duration of the tournament, is set to host five group-stage matches involving teams from Groups A, C, H, and K.
The venue, already known globally as the home of NFL side Atlanta Falcons and MLS club Atlanta United FC, is expected to become one of the tournament’s most vibrant stages.
Group stage Fixtures in Atlanta
• June 15: Spain vs Cape Verde
• June 18: South Africa vs Czechia
• June 21: Spain vs Saudi Arabia
• June 24: Morocco vs Haiti
• June 27: Uzbekistan vs DR Congo
Beyond the group stage, Atlanta will also host a Round of 32 match on 1 July , a Round of 16 fixture on 7 July and a high-stakes World Cup semifinal on 15 July —cementing its place as one of the competition’s most important venues.
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