Benni McCarthy reveals how Kenya will benefit from FIFA Series

Kenya national team head coach Benni McCarthy has opened up on what he wants to achieve from the 2026 FIFA Series.

Harambee Stars is among the nations that will participate in the Series organised by FIFA scheduled to run during the international break in March in Kigali, Rwanda.

We are drawn in CAF group A with Estonia, Grenada and Rwanda for the FIFA Series International Friendlies in Kigali

🏆 International Friendlies
🗓 March 23-31, 2026
📌 Kigali, Rwanda

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— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) January 19, 2026

Kenya will open their campaign against Estonia on 27th March at Amahoro Stadium. Harambee Stars’ second match in the mini-tournament will depend on the outcome of the other opening fixture between Rwanda and Grenada.

Speaking after Kenya was confirmed to face Estonia, coach McCarthy revealed his happiness to play in such competitions insisting they will give him the perfect time to keep checking on his players as Kenya prepares for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

McCarthy says Series will help strengthen Kenya

“The FIFA Series gives our team a chance to compete against opponents from different continents in conditions that closely resemble what we will face at major tournaments,” McCarthy told The Star as quoted by Flashscore.

“It is exactly the type of exposure our players need as we continue to grow and improve.”

He added: “These tournaments are not just about what happens during the 90 minutes. Competing against teams with different styles, strengths and football cultures challenges us to adapt and respond in ways we don’t see in domestic competition.”

The FIFA Series comes at a crucial time when Harambee Stars are preparing for the 2027 AFCON in East Africa.”

Under the tournament format, the winner of Match 1 will face the winner of Match 2, while the loser of Match 1 will play the loser of Match 2.

“We are focused on building Harambee Stars in a way that allows us to measure progress and identify areas for improvement,” explained

McCarthy. “Every match is an opportunity to test our tactics, integrate new players and strengthen our squad for the challenges ahead.

“We are finalising our selections, but the focus is clear: we want a balanced team capable of learning, testing tactical plans and gaining invaluable international experience.”

Kenya to use Series to gain valuable experience

Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will host the 36th edition of the African football tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) from June 19 to July 18.

“We look forward to using this platform to test ourselves, gain valuable experience and continue building the team in the right direction. Our goal is to ensure Harambee Stars are competitive when it matters most,” the South African legend concluded.

The FIFA Series presents a unique opportunity for Harambee Stars to test themselves against opponents from different confederations, offering meaningful international exposure as the team continues to build cohesion and competitive sharpness.

It is designed to give national teams structured competitive friendlies. For Harambee Stars, this comes at a crucial time as the team continues preparations for the upcoming 2027 AFCON.