Kenya’s Junior Starlets will begin their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign against China PR on Monday evening, seeking a positive result in their Group E opener at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 6:00 PM East Africa Time (EAT), with head coach Mildred Cheche’s charges aiming to make a strong statement on their return to the global stage.
Kenya are making their second appearance at the tournament after their historic debut in the Dominican Republic in 2024, when they became the first Kenyan national team to compete at a FIFA World Cup.
During that campaign, the Junior Starlets registered their maiden World Cup victory with a 2-1 win over Mexico, despite failing to progress beyond the group stage following defeats to England and North Korea.
Two years later, the Kenyan youngsters return with renewed ambitions, hoping to build on that experience and secure a place in the knockout rounds.
Cheche’s side earned qualification for the 2026 edition after an impressive run in the African qualifiers, defeating Namibia 7-1 on aggregate before eliminating South Africa 5-1 on aggregate in the decisive round.
The emphatic qualification campaign underlined the team’s attacking potential and resilience, qualities they will need against a well-established Chinese side.
China, meanwhile, enter the contest with greater experience at this level, making their fifth appearance at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Their experience in previous editions makes them a challenging opponent for the Junior Starlets as both sides look to establish themselves in Group E.
Kenya will need to combine defensive discipline with composure in possession while taking advantage of scoring opportunities against the Asian side. A positive result would provide an important foundation for their remaining group fixtures.
The Junior Starlets will face the United States on October 22 before concluding their group-stage campaign against Samoa on October 25.
With three crucial points available, Monday’s encounter presents Kenya with an opportunity to demonstrate how far the team has progressed since its maiden appearance and strengthen its ambitions of reaching the knockout stage.
The 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is being held in Morocco from October 17 to November 7, with 24 nations competing for the title.
Match details
- Fixture: Kenya U-17 Women vs China PR U-17 Women
- Competition: FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 — Group E
- Date: Monday, October 19, 2026
- Kick-off: 6:00 PM EAT
- Venue: Mohammed VI Football Complex, Rabat, Morocco
