The national women’s Under-17 team will kick off their quest for a second successive World Cup appearance with a first-round qualifier against Namibia.
The Rising Starlets have been drawn to face the southern Africans in one of 15 opening-round fixtures scheduled by world football governing body Fifa.
The first leg of the tie will be played between April 10 and 12, with the return leg set for April 17 to 19.
The Under-17 side made history in 2024 by becoming the first Kenyan football team, at any level, to qualify for a World Cup.
In their maiden appearance at the tournament in the Dominican Republic, coach Mildred Cheche’s charges exited at the group stage but delivered a commendable showing.
They suffered defeats to England and North Korea in Group C but ended their campaign on a high with a 2-1 victory over Mexico.
However, their bid to qualify for last year’s competition in Morocco fell short after a 4-1 aggregate defeat to Cameroon in the third and final round of the qualifiers.
This year’s World Cup will once again be staged in Morocco in October and November, with the tournament expanded to 24 teams from the previous 16.
