Benni McCarthy recalls Clarke Oduor as Kenya name squad for FIFA Series in Rwanda

Benni McCarthy has handed Clarke Oduor a return to the national team after naming his 23-man squad for the upcoming FIFA Series to be staged in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Kenya national football team head coach unveiled a squad that blends established names with emerging talent as the Harambee Stars continue preparations for key international assignments.

Oduor, who plays for Grimsby Town, makes a comeback to the national side after a lengthy absence and will be among the players hoping to impress during the international tournament scheduled between March 23 and 31.

Also included are potential debutants Zak Vyner of Wrexham and midfielder Zech Obiero, currently on loan at Tranmere Rovers from Leyton Orient. Both players will be aiming to earn their first caps for the Harambee Stars during the tournament.

The Kenya national football team squad for the March internationals has been announced 🇰🇪⚽ @Harambee__Stars

Kenya will face Rwanda national football team, Estonia national football team, and Grenada national football team.#HarambeeStars #FootballKE pic.twitter.com/dgwaL4ot2p

— kido THE Brand HSC 🎖️🇰🇪 (@Silvakidole) March 13, 2026

Kenya have been drawn in a competitive mini-tournament featuring European side Estonia, Caribbean nation Grenada and hosts Rwanda. The format will see the opening matches determine the pairings for the final round of fixtures.

The Harambee Stars are scheduled to open their campaign against Estonia on March 27 at the Amahoro Stadium. The winners of the opening matches will face each other on March 30, while the losing teams will also meet the same day.

The squad will assemble for a residential training camp on March 22 before departing for Rwanda two days later.

The FIFA Series arrives at a pivotal stage for Kenya as the team builds momentum ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The tournament, organised by the Confederation of African Football, will run from June 19 to July 18 and will mark the first time the continental championship is staged across three countries. It will also be the first AFCON hosted in the CECAFA region in five decades, following Ethiopia’s staging of the tournament in 1976.

The FIFA Series itself continues to grow as an international initiative by FIFA designed to provide national teams with competitive fixtures across confederations. The 2026 edition will feature 48 national teams competing in several four-team series hosted across multiple countries.