Harambee Stars shoots two places up in FIFA rankings despite Ivory Coast defeat
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 17.10.25. | 20:42
The rise reflects gradual progress in Kenya’s rebuilding phase under head coach Benni McCarthy, who took charge of the team in March
Kenya’s Harambee Stars have climbed two places up the global football ladder, securing the 109th position in the latest FIFA rankings released shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup qualifier matches.
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The national team’s improvement from position 111 comes as a notable milestone, achieved despite their recent 3-0 defeat to reigning African champions Ivory Coast in Abidjan.
The ranking update coincided with the close of the final two rounds of the World Cup qualifiers, which brought Kenya’s qualification campaign to an end.
In their final Group F fixtures, Harambee Stars edged Burundi 1-0 courtesy of a Ryan Ogam's strike before succumbing to Ivory Coast.
The mixed results saw Kenya finish fourth in the six-team standings with 12 points,14 adrift of group leaders, Ivory Coast.
The rise reflects gradual progress in Kenya’s rebuilding phase under head coach Benni McCarthy, who took charge of the team in March.
It also underscores a continued upward trajectory following their participation in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), where Kenya topped Group A before bowing out to Madagascar in the knockout stage.
Following CHAN, Kenya faced The Gambia and Seychelles , in the World Cup qualifier matches losing 3-1 to the former before registering an emphatic 5-0 victory over the latter.
Those results contributed to the previous 111th ranking.
The latest leap to 109th globally marks McCarthy’s first tangible step in steering Harambee Stars toward renewed competitiveness on the continental stage.
While Kenya’s hopes of a World Cup appearance remain deferred, the steady climb in the FIFA standings signals a promising rebuild.
