Benni McCarthy, the new head coach of Kenya’s national team, has stated that the Harambee Stars have the potential to shock many and earn a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On Monday, the former Manchester United first team coach was formally named the nation’s new head coach.
“Participating in the World Cup, it is one of the most special feelings in the world and I want to give them that,” Said McCarthy as quoted by BBC Sport Africa.
“With the right mindset and dedication from the players, and the willingness to learn and willingness to give everything they’ve got for the course, I think we can surprise a lot of people by still qualifying for the World Cup.”
With five points from four games, Kenya is now five points behind leaders Ivory Coast and fourth out of six teams in Group F. The World Cup qualifiers against The Gambia and Gabon at home will be his first games. In the USA, Canada, and Mexico, only the group winners are automatically eligible to compete.
Through the playoffs, the top four runners-up from each of the nine groups will have another shot. After Turkish coach Engin Firat resigned at the end of the previous year, Francis Kimanzi served as Kenya’s interim coach until McCarthy was hired on a two-year contract.
After a brilliant playing career in Europe, the South African icon is one of the most recognizable names in African football. He won the Dutch league and cup with Ajax during his playing career, then repeated the feat in Portugal with Jose Mourinho’s Porto. He also added the 2004 Champions League title to his collection of trophies. Before concluding his playing career in South Africa with the Orlando Pirates, he played in the Premier League for five years with West Ham and Blackburn Rovers. Prior to becoming the head coach of Cape Town City and AmaZulu in his native country, McCarthy started his coaching career as an assistant with the Belgian team Sint-Truiden. He was a member of Erik ten Hag’s backroom staff at Manchester United, a major English team.
