Harambee Starlets climb five places in provisional FIFA rankings despite Australia loss
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 16.04.26. | 12:20
The latest movement continues an impressive upward trajectory for the Kenyan women’s national team over the past year and a half, a period marked by consistent performances and growing confidence
Harambee Starlets have provisionally climbed five places in the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings, showing their steady rise on the global stage despite a 2-0 defeat to the 15th-ranked Australia women's team in the FIFA Series final on 15 April.
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The latest movement continues an impressive upward trajectory for the Kenyan women’s national team over the past year and a half, a period marked by consistent performances and growing confidence.
Since the rankings were released on 16 August, 2024, when Kenya was placed 151st, the Starlets have steadily climbed the ladder.
They moved to 149 in December 2024 before making a significant leap to 142 in March 2025. After maintaining that position in June, they rose to 140 in August 2025.
In the most recent official rankings published on 11 December, 2025, Kenya surged further to position 133.
The current jump is, however, provisional and remains subject to FIFA’s confirmation of recent matches as official international ‘A’ fixtures, with the next ranking update scheduled for 21 April.
Kenya’s rise has been fueled by a strong run of form across competitions. In their last five matches, the Starlets have recorded four wins and suffered just one defeat.
During that run, the team accumulated valuable ranking points, beginning with +32.71 from their win over Tunisia.
They followed this with +15.53 and +17.27 from their two encounters against The Gambia, collected +9.94 points after beating India, and added +0.89 despite the defeat to Australia.
Their impressive form began during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 CAF qualifiers. Kenya edged Tunisia 1-0 away at Stade Olympique in Sousse on 26 February, 2025, before registering a 3-1 victory over Gambia at Nyayo National Stadium on October 24, 2025.
They then sealed qualification with a 1-0 win in the return leg at Stade Lat Dior in Thiès.
That momentum carried into the FIFA Series friendlies, where Kenya defeated India, provisionally ranked 69th, 2-0 at Nyayo Stadium to book a place in the final against Australia.
Regionally, Kenya continues to narrow the gap on its East African rivals. Tanzania leads the region at position 121, while Uganda sits at 146 despite climbing two places. On the continental front, Nigeria remains Africa’s highest-ranked side at position 36.
