Kenya vs India: Preview, Key Absences, Time and Where to Watch Harambee Starlets in FIFA Series

Harambee Starlets will begin their FIFA Series campaign with a tricky match against India at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday afternoon, looking to get off to a flying start.

On paper, Kenya are the underdogs as they are ranked 134th in the world while India are placed 67th but the Indians’ recent form will give Beldine Odemba’s charges plenty of confidence.

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The four-team tournament also features Australia, the top-rated team at position 15 on the FIFA ranking and Malawi, placed 153rd in the world, those two kicking off the tournament before Kenya and India square it off.

Starlets are using these matches to prepare for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026) slated between July 25 and August 16 in Morocco. Playing high-ranked teams is therefore a plus to their build-up and they will be motivated to shine at home and get a win that will see them play in the final on Wednesday against the winner between Australia and Malawi.

Harambee Starlets come into the match on the back of a four-match winless run, having lost three and drawn one over that period. That run includes a 2-0 loss to Benin and 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in Abidjan last month as well as a 2-1 defeat followed by a 1-1 draw, both against Algeria last November.

All these four were friendly matches but in competitive fixtures, Kenya have done well, having beaten The Gambia 3-1 at home and then 1-0 away in October 2025 to seal their ticket to WAFCON 2026.

Meanwhile, India are coming into the tournament after the disappointment of group stage elimination from the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, having lost all their games. That poor run saw them lose 2-1 to Vietnam, get thumped 11-0 by Japan before a 3-1 defeat to Chinese Taipei.

The Blue Tigresses, under coach Crispin Chhetri, who recently returned to the fold, are therefore looking for some morale-boosting results in Nairobi.

This will be the first meeting between Kenya and India but Starlets have faced off with Asian opposition in recent years and experienced mixed fortunes.

Kenya beat the Philippines 4-1 in October 2024 in a friendly match, just days after losing 1-0 to Chinese Taipei, and therefore have an idea about facing Asian teams.

Odemba unveiled a final squad of 24 on Friday and it includes star names like goalkeeper ‎Lilian Awuor, defenders Ruth Ingosi, Enez Mango, midfielders Mwanalima Adam, Fasila Adhiambo, and Martha Amunyolete, and forwards ‎Shirleen Opisa, Marion Serenge and Valerie Nekesa.

However, Starlets have suffered a significant setback as Lorine Ilavonga is out due to injury while Simba Queens duo Jentrix Shikangwa and Elizabeth Wambui are not available although their teammates Fasila Odhiambo, and Ruth Ingosi made it just in time.

The match will kick off at 5pm (Kenyan time) at Nyayo Stadium and will be live on TV47.