Junior Starlets face Japan’s youth powerhouse in World Cup knockout showdown

Kenya’s Junior Starlets have intensified preparations for their historic Round of 16 clash against Japan at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2026, at Mohammed VI Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.

Head coach Mildred Cheche’s side reached the knockout stage for the first time after thrashing Samoa 4-0 in their final Group E match on Sunday, October 25. The victory secured Kenya a place among the tournament’s four best third-placed teams.

The Starlets had suffered defeats against China and the United States, losing 3-0 and 6-1 respectively.

They therefore needed a convincing victory against Samoa, alongside favorable results elsewhere, to keep their World Cup campaign alive.

With a place in the quarter-finals at stake, Kenya now face a formidable Japanese side with a rich history in youth women’s football.

Cheche acknowledged the challenge but maintained that her players would prepare thoroughly and give their best as they seek to extend their second appearance at the global tournament.

“Going to the Round of 16, we are playing Japan. It is not an easy side to defeat, but we will prepare well, do our best, and then we will see what happens,” Cheche said.

Despite celebrating the team’s historic qualification, the coach emphasized that the Starlets still had work to do ahead of the knockout encounter.

“I think the girls did well. Qualifying for the knockout stage for the first time is history, and now we have a lot to do. But at this moment, we enjoy the moment for qualifying for the next round,” she added.

Forward Mwanakombo Bakari, who scored twice against Samoa and was named Player of the Match, said the emphatic victory had boosted the team’s confidence ahead of the Japan test.

Bakari credited her teammates for their contribution to her individual accolade and vowed to raise her game as Kenya pursue a quarter-final berth.

“Being named Player of the Match was a great feeling, and it came with the assistance of other players in the team. Against Japan, I will be more determined and hope to score more goals to propel my team to the quarter-final,” she said.

Japan, however, will pose a stern challenge given their pedigree in youth women’s football. The Little Nadeshiko won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2014 and finished runners-up in 2010 and 2016.

They have also won the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup four times, underlining their status as one of the leading teams in the age category.

For the Junior Starlets, Thursday’s encounter presents an opportunity to build on their historic qualification and move one step closer to a place in the quarter-finals.