Estonia and Grenada: Who are European and Caribbean Minnows Set to Play Harambee Stars?

Harambee Stars are in Kigali preparing for the 2026 FIFA Series which will see them play Estonia and then either Grenada or hosts Rwanda.

Benni McCarthy’s men will begin their campaign against European side Estonia on Friday, March 27 and if they win, they will play whoever triumphs between East African rivals Rwanda and Caribbean side Grenada on Tuesday.

The mini-tournament, set to be staged at Kigali’s Amahoro Stadium, is designed to provide teams with competitive friendly matches and McCarthy is hoping to use it as part of his side’s preparations towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

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But while Kenyan fans are familiar with Rwanda, what is there to know about Estonia and Grenada?

The Estonian national team, nicknamed Sinisärgid or Blueshirts, is a European team which plays under the European Football Association, UEFA, but are one of the minnows in Europe.

Just like Kenya, they have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup and have also never been to the European Championships, the UEFA Euros, equivalent of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Their best performance has been reaching the playoffs of Euro 2012 and 2024 but got eliminated on both occasions.

FIFA Ranking

With Kenya currently in position 113 on the FIFA ranking, Estonia are 16 places below in position 129.

Head Coach

Estonia are under German coach Jurgen Henn who has been in charge since May 2024.

Star Players

Goalkeeper Karl Jakob Hein is their most prominent player as he plays for Arsenal but currently on loan at German club Werder Bremen. Hein, however, did not make the 24-man squad for the FIFA Series due to an injury.

The team will be led by forward Rauno Sappinen, last season’s top scorer in the Estonian Meistriliga, who scored 20 goals as his side Flora won the league. He has three goals and two assists in seven matches this term.

Biggest Wins

Estonia 6-0 Lithuania: July 1928

Gibraltar 0-6 Estonia: October 2017

Biggest Losses

Finland 10-2 Estonia: August 1922

Germany 8-0 Estonia: June 2019

Meanwhile, Grenada is a Caribbean nation which has been an affiliate member of FIFA since 1978 and competes in the North and Central American Confederation (CONCACAF).

They have also never been to the World Cup but have participated in the CONCACAF Gold Cup three times.

Popularly known as The Spice Boys, most players from the tiny island nation located in the southern Caribbean Sea were born abroad and chose to represent the nation due to family links.

FIFA Ranking

Grenada are currently ranked 164, some 51 places below Kenya.

Head Coach

Grenada are coached by former player Anthony Modeste, who has been in charge since January 2025.

Star Player

Grenada’s star player is winger D'Margio Wright-Phillips who was born in England and honed his skills at the Manchester City academy. He currently plays for Belgian second division side Beerschot where he has netted nine goals and added five assists in 39 games.

This season, the former Stoke City forward has five goals and four assists in 19 games.

Biggest Win

Grenada 14-1 Aguilla: April 1988

Biggest Loss

Curacao 10-0 Grenada: September 2018