Kenya falls to Brazil in Phygital Football quarters, eye redemption at Games of the Future

Brazil proved too strong across both dimensions of the game, winning 5-2 in the digital stage and 5-1 in the physical football segment, to seal their place in the semi-finals with a comprehensive aggregate.

Despite the exit, it was an inspiring outing for the Kenyan side, who were making their debut at the global phygital stage.

The team topped Group E, finishing ahead of esports heavyweights USA and Uzbekistan, to book a place in the last eight.

Their quarterfinal loss ends hopes of an automatic ticket to the prestigious Games of the Future, but all is not lost.

Brazil now joins Armenia, Bosnia, and Mexico in securing direct qualification to the December showpiece that will return to Abu Dhabi from 18th to 23rd December 2025.

As the highest-ranked African team, Kenya is still in the running for one of the six invitational slots for the Games of the Future, to be awarded later this year by Phygital International.

Esports Kenya President Ronny Lusigi praised the team’s performance and remained hopeful for the future.

“This being our debut, I can say the boys did well. The first objective was to qualify for the contender’s stage. Then the second was to get out of the group. We fell just one step shy of the big goal, booking a ticket to the Games of the Future,” he said.

“With the lessons we’ve picked, we guarantee you that Kenya will come back stronger,” he added.

The national team is expected back in Nairobi on July 30, carrying both pride and promise after a memorable international campaign.