FKF and ESKF Partner for Kenya’s FIFAe World Cup 2026 Qualification Campaign

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has announced a goal-oriented campaign through a strategic partnership with the Esports Kenya Federation (ESKF). The collaboration aims to provide essential logistical support and infrastructure to prepare the national team for the FIFAe Nations League.

Kenya is embarking on a focused campaign to secure a place on the world’s elite football esports stage. With the FIFAe World Cup 2026 set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 2026, the nation has established a clear roadmap to transition from local talent to global competitors. By pooling the ESKF resources, the federations seek to foster a passion for football both on the traditional field and the virtual pitch, with a particular focus on engaging Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences.

Speaking on the collaboration, Ronny Lusigi, President of the Esports Kenya Federation, said; “This collaboration is a huge boost to Kenyan esports. Football video games are the most played esports games and it’s only natural that we nurture this love for football both on the actual pitch and on the virtual pitch. With esports we can keep the relevance of football especially among the upcoming generations like Gen Z and Gen Alpha at a time when their attention is being contested for by a wide array of entertainment and media.”

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The immediate objective for aspiring athletes begins on March 15, 2026, when the official national team selection process commences. To ensure a competitive and transparent squad, the Esports Kenya Federation (ESKF) will utilize two primary methods for identification, official national selection tournaments and a structured local esports ranking ladder. This rigorous pathway aims to identify the country’s top talent across three key titles, eFootball Console, eFootball Mobile, and Rocket League.

Kenya’s journey to qualification is divided into distinct, high-stakes phases within the FIFAe Nations League, with the schedule for 2026 outlined as follows: from April to July 2026, there will be three competitive weeks of regional play for Console (2v2), Mobile (2v2), and Rocket League (3v3), followed by the Continental Championships in August and September 2026, where nations with the highest accumulated points will compete for a spot in the finals. The stakes are exceptionally high, as Africa has been allotted only two qualification slots per category for the World Cup, making every phase crucial for Kenya’s success.

This partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to elevating Kenya’s profile in international football esports and using technology to inspire and engage young audiences. It offers a fresh opportunity for Kenya to improve upon its 2022 performance, when the team was eliminated in Round 1. With a stronger national squad and the advantages of the new regional grouping format, the goal of representing Kenya on the global FIFAe stage has become increasingly attainable.