Harambee Starlets U17 captain Beverlyne Awuor says Kenya is determined to make a stronger impression at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe Junior Starlets have been drawn in Group E alongside the United States, China PR and Samoa, with the tournament scheduled to kick off on 17 October.Kenya will be making its second appearance at the global tournament after debuting at the 2024 edition in the Dominican Republic.##NAJAVA_MECA_9993651##The Junior Starlets opened that campaign with a 2-0 defeat to England before losing 3-0 to North Korea.They signed off with a historic 2-1 win over Mexico, recording their first-ever World Cup victory.Awuor says their debut experience has given the squad greater belief heading into this year’s tournament.“As players, we are ready. We have been preparing well, and we are not going there just to participate, but to compete. We have a good technical bench, and they are really motivating us.”TACTICAL ANALYSIS: How Guinea outfoxed Harambee Stars to leave them winless in 2027 AFCON QualifiersThe captain has set an ambitious target for the team, saying they want to improve on their 2024 campaign and challenge for a place in the final.“In the last World Cup, we won only one match. This time, we want to win more and go all the way to the final. That is our motivation,” she said.Beyond their collective ambitions, Awuor believes the tournament will provide the players with an opportunity to put themselves on the radar of clubs outside Kenya.Kenya U17 coach reveals identity of friendlies lined up in Spain ahead of second World Cup appearance“Heading to the World Cup presents us with a great opportunity to showcase our talents and secure good transfers to established clubs,” she said.Kenya will begin their Group E campaign against China PR on Monday, 19 October, before taking on the United States three days later.The Junior Starlets will complete their group-stage fixtures against Samoa on 25 October.##NAJAVA_MECA_10000220##Before heading to Morocco, the team is scheduled to spend three weeks in Spain for a final training camp.During the camp, they are expected to face Australia U-17, Spanish sides Real Betis and Cádiz CF in friendly matches as the technical bench fine-tunes the squad ahead of the World Cup.
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