FKF bets on FIFA U15 World Cup to unearth Kenya’s next stars

Football Kenya Federation President Hussein Mohammed is in Azerbaijan to witness a historic chapter in youth football development which comes as Kenya seeks to strengthen its football development structures and expose emerging talents to international competition.

The tournament brings together teams representing 189 FIFA Member Associations, making it one of the most ambitious youth football development initiatives in the sport’s history.

The competition is being staged at the state-of-the-art Hovsan Competition Complex, which features 10 football pitches capable of hosting 20 simultaneous eight-a-side matches. 

The innovative format is designed to provide young players with more playing time, valuable competitive experience and opportunities to learn from different football cultures.

The boys’ edition is the first of its kind, with the girls’ competition scheduled for 2027. Both tournaments are expected to become annual events from 2028, providing a sustained platform for youth football development worldwide.

Speaking in Azerbaijan, FKF President Hussein Mohammed noted that the rest of the world was making significant strides in football development, warning that Kenya must accelerate its efforts to remain competitive.

“There are no shortcuts. We must immediately build our high-performance technical centres and pitches for schools and our local communities across the country. All leagues and competitions at every level, for both boys and girls, must be strengthened. We must successfully commercialise football if it is to become a viable economic pillar for our youth and the sports ecosystem,” he said.

Mohammed further emphasised the need for accountable leadership and a professional approach to football administration, insisting that the country must remain committed to reforms that place the interests of players and future generations first.

“We are on the right path, albeit one fraught with thorny pathways and dark alleys. To allow mediocrity, hate, bloated egos and greed back into football administration is an injustice to all Kenyans, both current and future generations”.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s U-15 boys have made an encouraging start to the competition, with a convincing 6-2 victory over Malta before thrashing Panama 5-1. 

They then battled to a 2-2 draw against North Macedonia and followed it up with another 2-2 draw against Niger, with captain Innocent Media and Javan Ochieng finding the net to help maintain Kenya’s unbeaten run.

Kenya’s opening-phase campaign is set to conclude with a fixture against Chad on Monday, October 26.

The team’s position will then determine their placement in the tournament’s next stage, where the young players will continue competing for further honours while gaining invaluable international experience.