FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with Kenyan President William Ruto, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly High-level Week 2026 in New York City — a gathering that underscored a landmark period for Kenyan football.

"It was wonderful to once again have a productive interaction with Kenyan President William Ruto and his colleagues," Infantino said. "Together, as partners, we remain aligned on our vision for Kenyan football, and with the support of his government and the Football Kenya Federation, will continue providing opportunities, infrastructure and pathways to the youth of Kenya."

U-17 Women's World Cup and AFCON on the horizon

Kenya's U-17 women's national team will compete at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup™ in Morocco this October, where they face China PR, the United States, and Samoa in the group stage. It marks only Kenya's second appearance at a FIFA tournament — the first being the U-17 Women's World Cup 2024™ in the Dominican Republic.

Looking further ahead, Kenya will co-host the 2027 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Uganda and Tanzania. The 36th edition of the continental championship will be the first held on Kenyan soil, with matches slated for Nairobi's new Raila Odinga International Stadium (also known as Talanta Sports Stadium), Moi International Sports Centre, and Nyayo National Stadium.

FIFA investment and development programmes

Infantino visited Kenya in August 2025, touring the Talanta Sports Stadium site and meeting President Ruto, who presented him with the deeds to land in Machakos earmarked for a new FKF technical centre — funded through the FIFA Forward Programme.

"Having met President Ruto last year, I am aware of his love for our game and his conviction that football can truly make a positive impact on people's lives," Infantino said. "He has also been extremely supportive of FIFA, and our football development plans in his great nation that includes the development of a national technical centre and the implementation of the FIFA Arena project."

The FKF has channelled nearly USD 15 million in FIFA Forward funding across nine approved projects, while also tapping into FIFA Women's Football Development Programmes and the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS). Over the past two years, the TDS has supported training camps for boys' and girls' national teams, coaching and scouting workshops, and talent identification events for teenagers across the country.

Kenya's senior women's team has also benefitted from this investment — reaching the CAF Women's African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final for the second time this year. Meanwhile, two FIFA Arena mini-pitches are under construction near Nairobi, and the FKF is already enrolled in FIFA Football for Schools and FIFA Boots for All.