For the first time in history, the women’s edition of the FIFA Series has come to Africa. Kenya is hosting one of the four tournament groups, with four national teams competing at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi: the hosts Harambee Starlets (Kenya), the Matildas (Australia), India, and Malawi.
The FIFA Series is a new global football initiative that gives teams from different confederations the opportunity to play international matches during the international break. In 2026, a separate women’s edition was introduced for the first time—running alongside the men’s tournament. The women’s competitions take place in April across four countries: Brazil, Ivory Coast, Thailand, and Kenya.
Tournament schedule and format in Kenya
The tournament kicks off today, April 11, 2026, at Nyayo National Stadium:
- 14:00 local time (EAT, 13:00 CEST): Australia vs Malawi
- 18:00 local time (EAT, 17:00 CEST): Kenya vs India
The final day is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15:
- Third place match – 14:00 local time (EAT)
- Final – 18:00 local time (EAT)
The winner in Nairobi will become the first-ever champion of this inaugural FIFA Women’s Series group. Australia, as one of the world’s top ranked teams, enters as the clear favorite, but the hosts Harambee Starlets are hoping to cause an upset with strong home support.
Squads and key players
Australia head coach Joe Montemurro has named a 22 player squad featuring global stars such as Sam Kerr (Chelsea) and Caitlin Foord (Arsenal). However, experienced defender and captain Steph Catley will miss the tournament due to a calf injury and has not been replaced in the squad. Montemurro is using this tournament to test squad depth and give opportunities to players who saw limited minutes during the recent AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
Harambee Starlets, led by coach Beldine Odemba, have selected a 24 player squad. For the Kenyan players, this is a huge opportunity to gain valuable experience against significantly higher ranked opposition. While Australia represents the global elite, India and Malawi bring contrasting African and Asian styles of play.
Significance for Kenya and women’s football development
For Kenya, this is a historic milestone the country is hosting a global FIFA event at the senior women’s level for the first time. Minister of Sports Salim Mvurya emphasized that the tournament highlights the progress of Kenyan football and could open the door to greater investment and international exposure for local players.
Organizers are hoping for full stands at Nyayo National Stadium and strong support for the Harambee Starlets. Matches will be broadcast in Kenya by TV47, while in Australia they will be available on Paramount+.
The tournament has a clear developmental purpose. FIFA aims to promote women’s football in regions that still need support. Matches against teams like Australia and India provide invaluable experience for Kenyan and Malawian players competing against higher level opposition.
Although the Nairobi tournament lasts just five days, it could have a long term impact on the development of women’s football in East Africa and contribute to the broader legacy of the FIFA Series project.