Gambia vs Kenya: Possible Lineups, Team News, Time and Where to Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

National team Harambee Stars World Cup hopes lie in their own hands as they prepare for the  crucial encounter against Gambia in matchday five of the 2026 edition of the quadrennial tournament. 

The highly anticipated match is set to take place on March 20 at 22:00  EAT. Harambee Stars are fourth in the six-team Group F of the African qualifiers, and the Gambia match has a lot of significance for the Benni McCarthy-coached Stars.

A win for Harambee Stars will boost their chances of qualification, considering that they will still have five more matches to play.  

Kenya is aiming to make a first appearance at the World Cup and follow in the footsteps of the Junior Starlets who became the first Kenyan team  ever to play at the global show last year in the Dominican Republic. 

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The match kicks off at 10 pm East Africa Time. The fixture between Gambia’s Scorpion and Harambee Stars will be played on Thursday, March 20th at Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium. Gambia, who is the home team, don’t have a stadium approved by the world governing body FIFA or Confederation of African Football (CAF) to stage high-standard matches.

No team will hold the home advantage meaning both have an equal  chance  to leave the West African country with maximum points. The Gambia will be desperate to win the match considering they have garnered just three points to sit fifth in the group. 

Catch the World Cup qualifier between Harambee Stars and The Gambia live on KBC Channel One this Thursday. Kick of is 10pm East African time. The fixture will also be live on SuperSport TV.

Defensive lynchpin Joseph Okumu is one of the most notable omissions from the Harambee Stars squad despite playing the full 90 minutes in Stade Reims' goalless Ligue 1 draw against Brest on Sunday. Serbian-based defender Collins Sichenje suffered an injury in Vojvodina's 3-1 loss against OFK Beograd and was dropped by McCarthy.

However, one of the biggest surprises was the exclusion of Austin Odhiambo, Gor Mahia’s top scorer this season with eight goals. FKFPL top scorer Ryan Ogam was also ommitted despite featuring in the Mapinduzi Cup in January.

Starting XI: Ian Otieno (GK), Ronny Onyango, Brian Mandela, Daniel Anyembe, Anthony Akumu, Richard Odada, Duke Abuya, Masud Juma, Michael Olung (captain) , John Avire.

Substitutes: Brian Bwire, Jonstone Omurwa,  Amos Nondi, Ismael Gonzalez, Mohammed Bajaber, Elvis Rupia, Jonah Ayunga