Kenya draws USA and Uzbekistan in Phygital Contenders tournament

The team will face the United States and Uzbekistan in a high-stakes match starting at the ADNEC National Exhibition Centre.

The tournament, which brings together the best of physical and digital gaming, will see seven groups, each comprising three teams. Only group winners and the best-performing runner-up will book spots in the quarter-finals, slated for July 28.

The semifinals and final will take place on July 31. The top four teams from this event will earn qualification to the prestigious Games of the Future, set for December 18–23, 2025, also in Abu Dhabi.

Kenya’s campaign begins with a fixture against the USA on July 26, followed by a critical encounter against Uzbekistan the following day.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, team captain Eric Koira struck a confident tone.

“This is an interesting draw as we face top opponents. At this stage, every team is a good team, so we just have to keep our confidence and stick to the game plan,” Koira said.

“I trust that we shall put out a good performance,” he added.

Team manager Fedrick Mwabili echoed Koira’s sentiments but emphasised a measured approach.

“It is important to take one game at a time. This is not the time to think about the knockout stage. The most important match is the next match, then the other one. Focus should be on the immediate task, which we are upbeat about," he concluded.