Muguna sings FKF praises ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

FOOTBALL Muguna sings FKF praises ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

Mark Kinyanjui 09:37 - 05.10.2023

The 2016 KPL Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner with Western Stima has revealed that the federation has done well ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Harambee Stars midfielder Kenneth Muguna has praised the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for doing a “tremendous job” to prepare the side in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers which commence in November.

Since the suspension on Kenyan football was lifted by FIFA in November 2022, Stars have gone on to play five friendly matches against Iran, Pakistan, Mauritius, Qatar, and South Sudan, and look on course to play a sixth this month against the 2018 World Cup quarter-finalists Russia.

The 2016 KPL Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner with Western Stima has revealed that the federation has done well to prepare the side by organising friendly matches to help them bond together as a unit.

“If you look at it so far, FKF have done a tremendous job to prepare us,” Muguna told Pulse Sports. “Preparation has been great considering that the team we have been playing top nations,” he added.

Muguna has revealed that the friendly matches will make Harambee Stars ready for the competitive games, as Kenya will launch its 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign against Gabon and Seychelles in November.

“Qatar is one of them, Russia and even South Sudan who are coming up well. Those friendlies we are getting I think are a good thing and if you look, I am sure by the time the real competition is coming up, we will be ready.”

Kenya have been placed in Group F of the World Cup qualifiers, alongside Seychelles, Burundi, Gambia, Gabon, and Côte d’Ivoire. 

In this competition, the group winners will secure direct qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Additionally, the four best runners-up from the groups will advance to the CAF Play-Off tournament, where the ultimate victor will earn a coveted spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The match against Russia is scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkey and is part of Kenya's preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Muguna made his national team debut in 2017 and has since gone on to rise to become a prominent player in the side.