The World Football governing body FIFA has included Kenya and Tanzania to be part of the 2026 FIFA Series to take place March 23-31^st in Rwanda.

On Monday FIFA announced the 48 teams to take part in the 2026 FIFA Series during the during international match windows in March and April.

The 2026 edition will feature 48 teams divided into 12 groups, including nine men’s groups and three women’s groups, with all six continental confederations represented.

For the first time Rwanda will host the Series and have been placed in Group A alongside Estonia, Grenada and Kenya. Group B will have another team from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), Tanzania together with Aruba, Liechtenstein and Maco of China.

Among the men’s teams taking part in the FIFA Series 2026, five teams, namely Australia, Cape Verde, Curacao, New Zealand and Uzbekistan, have qualified for this year’s FIFA World Cup.

The men’s groups will be hosted by Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Rwanda and Uzbekistan, with Rwanda hosting two groups.

The women’s groups will be held in Brazil, Cote d’Ivoire and Thailand.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President, Hussein Mohammed Rashid said he was very happy about the development because Harambee Stars will get the opportunity to play more International matches.

“It is exactly the kind of exposure and competition our national team needs as we continue to grow and raise our standards,” added the FKF President.

Group A: Estonia, Grenada, Kenya, Rwanda

Group B: Aruba, Liechtenstein, Macao of China, Tanzania

Somalia’s Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been selected among the 18 referees who will officiate at the FIFA U-20 World 2025 Cup to take place in Chile.

Artan who also officiated the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final is among the six African referees slected, while Kenya’s Gilbert Cheruiyot is also picked as an asstant referee.

FIFA’s Referees Committe announced on Wednesday the 18 referees, 36 assistant referees and Football Video Support (FVS) for the Tournament to run September 27^th to October 19^th.

“Chile is a football-loving country, and we have an excellent opportunity to ensure that this year’s edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup leaves a legacy on a refereeing level,” said the FIFA Director of Refereeing Massimo Busacca.

Africa will be represented by South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria and Egypt.

African referees selected: Abdulkadir Omar Artan (Somalia), Youcef Gamaouh (Algeria), Jalal Jayed (Morocco)

African Assistant referees selected: Gilbert Cheruiyot (Kenya), Abelmiro Montenegro (São Tomé and Príncipe), Khalil Hassani (Tunisia), Eric Ayimavo (Benin), Lahsen Azgaou, Mostafa Akarkad (Morocco)

The Secretary General of the wold Football governing body, FIFA is in Djibouti on an official visit.

Fatma Samoura together with her team arrived in Djibouti yesterday ahead of her meetings with several stakeholders including the Prime Minister Kanil Mohamed.

“This first working visit to Djibouti in my capacity as Secretary General of FIFA gives me the opportunity to meet the main players in Djibouti Football and to discuss with them the situation of football in Djibouti,” said the Samoura.

The FIFA Secretary General made it clear that she also wants to use the visit to advocate for increased financial support from the government of Djibouti and the private sector.

The other members who traveled together with Samoura includes; Sarai Bareman (Head of FIFA Women’s Football Division), Geraldine Heinen (Representative of the Member Associations Division of FIFA), Naoise King (Communications Officer of the Office of the FIFA Secretary General) and Cinzia Miotto (Personal Assistant to the FIFA Secretary General).

In September this year Samoura also visited the Member Associations of South Africa, Kenya and South Sudan.

Uganda have picked a convincing 7-2 win over hosts Kenya in the second round first leg of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Star player Juliet Nalukenge gave Uganda the lead after only two minutes at the Nyayo Stadium as the home side failed to defend well.

The hosts tried to fight back, but again conceded a second goal through Margaret Kunihira after 18 minutes. Fauzia Najjemba made it 3-0 for Uganda after 21 minutes before Shamirah Nalugya converted a penalty to make it 4-0.

Nalukenge netted her second goal, while Sumaya Komuntale made it 6-0 at the stroke of half time.

The Kenyan team returned determined to score some goals as Shayiene Opisa netted a brace to make it 2-6. But Komuntale netted a second of the day after 88 minutes to make sure coach Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi’s team win the match 7-2.

“We are happy to pick a win in Nairobi. We need to go back and plan well for the return leg,” said Kiyingi after the match.

In the other qualifying matches played by teams from the CECAFA region, Ethiopia defeated hosts Rwanda 4-0 in a game played in Kigali yesterday. Rediet Asresahegn netted a brace, while Aregash Kalsa and Turist Lema were also on the score sheet.

On Saturday Tanzania picked a 3-0 win away to Eritrea, while Burundi humbled Namibia 3-0 in a match played in Bujumbura. Olga Niyomwungere, Bora Ineza and Noella Irakoze scored for Burundi.

The return legs of the second round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers for Africa will be played between October 7-9^th.