Kenya's Joshua Weru Named in NFL International Player Pathway Class of 2026

The National Football League has officially announced the 13 athletes from 10 different countries who will make up the International Player Pathway (IPP) program's Class of 2026.

Launched in 2017, the IPP program is designed to identify and develop elite global talent, offering athletes from diverse sporting backgrounds, including rugby, basketball, and track and field, a chance to earn a spot on an NFL roster.

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Joshua Weru is among those who have earned the highly coveted place in the NFL International Player Pathway (IPP) Program, signalling a remarkable transition from the rugby pitch to the American football field.

At just 21 years old, his journey is a testament to raw talent and resilience, having navigated complex professional setbacks in his initial sport.

Joshua Weru's background is firmly rooted in the physicality of rugby, where he excelled as a backrow player, typically occupying the demanding roles of Number 8 or blindside flanker.

His career began gaining traction when he joined the prestigious Northampton Saints Academy in England at the age of 14. After five years of development, he signed his first professional contract with the club in August 2022.

During this period, his talent was recognised internationally, earning him a call-up to the Kenyan National Team, the Kenya Simbas. His debut in the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final Qualification Tournament was spectacular.

However, a pivotal moment in his career soon followed. Due to complex visa requirements related to playing for a Tier 3 rugby nation like Kenya, Joshua Weru fell short of the necessary 10 international caps required by the RFU for a professional working visa in England, leading to the unfortunate loss of his Northampton contract. This setback forced him to continue his career abroad, briefly playing for US Dax in France.

Now, Joshua Weru has found a new, high-profile opportunity through the NFL's IPP program. He will study alongside Collins Arogunjo (Nigeria), Uar Bernard (Nigeria), Kaia Clarkin (Australia, New Zealand), Michael Daramola (Nigeria), and Kaylan Faumui (Australia, Samoa).

Jarrod Gray (Australia, New Zealand), Felix Lepper (Germany), Chibuike Madu (Nigeria), Kansei Matsuzawa (Japan), Anjola Oketola (Nigeria), Seydou Traore (Algeria, Ivory Coast, United Kingdom), and Laekin Vakalahi (Australia, New Zealand) have also made the list.

"We're thrilled to welcome a new group of talented international athletes to the 2026 IPP program," said Patrick Long, NFL Director of International Football Development.

"The IPP program is a key component of the growth of our game globally, providing a pathway for these elite athletes, a number of whom have gone on to achieve tremendous success in the NFL and beyond."

Beginning in January 2026, the selected athletes will undergo an intensive 10-week training camp at X3 Performance and Physical Therapy in Fort Myers, Florida.

This period will focus on both on-field skills and classroom instruction before they showcase their abilities to NFL scouts.

The program is a cornerstone of the NFL's long-term strategy to grow the sport worldwide and create a viable route for international players to reach the professional level. Following the training period, participants can be signed as free agents or selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.

NFL rules provide an incentive for teams to sign these players. Each club can carry an extra international player on their offseason roster.

If not signed to the 53-man roster, these athletes are eligible for a 17th spot on the practice squad, which is specifically reserved for international players.

Since its inception, the IPP has seen 70 international players sign with NFL teams, and 22 are currently on rosters. Notable alumni who have made it to active rosters include Jordan Mailata (Australia), Jakob Johnson (Germany), and Efe Obada (United Kingdom).