Kenya's Junior Starlets are set to make their mark at the 2026 Fifa Under-17 Women's World Cup, which kicks off on October 17 in Morocco. The team, led by captain Beverlyne Awuor, has been drawn in Group E alongside the United States, China PR, and Samoa. With their debut at the 2024 U-17 Women's World Cup under their belt, the Junior Starlets are eager to build on their experience and produce a stronger campaign this time around.
The Junior Starlets' debut at the 2024 U-17 Women's World Cup in the Dominican Republic was a mixed bag, with the team losing 2-0 to England U17 and 3-0 to North Korea U17 before securing a historic 2-1 win over Mexico U17. Awuor believes that experience has prepared the team for the challenges ahead. The team's focus is not only on participating but also on competing at the highest level.
Awuor expressed confidence in the team's readiness for the tournament, citing the team's rigorous preparation and the guidance of their technical bench. "As players, we are ready. We have been preparing well and we are not going there just to participate, but to compete," she said. The team's technical bench has been instrumental in motivating the players and preparing them for the tournament.
The Junior Starlets' goal is to progress deep into the tournament, with Awuor stating that the team aims to win more matches and potentially go all the way to the final. "In the last World Cup, we won only one match. This time, we want to win more and go all the way to the final. That is our motivation," she said. The team's campaign begins against China PR on October 19, followed by matches against the United States on October 22 and Samoa on October 25.
The World Cup presents an important platform for the players to showcase their talent and attract interest from established clubs abroad. Awuor believes that the tournament will provide the players with a chance to secure good transfers to established clubs. The team's exposure at the World Cup could potentially open doors for the players to play for top clubs.
As part of their final preparations, the Junior Starlets were due to travel to Spain on Friday for a three-week training camp. During their stay, they will play friendly matches against Australia's U-17, Real Betis, and Cádiz CF. These matches will help the team fine-tune their skills and gain valuable experience ahead of the World Cup.
With their preparation in full swing, the Junior Starlets are poised to make a strong impression at the 2026 Fifa U17 World Cup. The team's determination and focus will be put to the test as they take on top teams from around the world.
Key points
- The Junior Starlets have been drawn in Group E alongside the United States, China PR, and Samoa.
- The team's campaign begins against China PR on October 19.
- The World Cup presents an important platform for the players to showcase their talent and attract interest from established clubs abroad.
