Key Takeaways
- Sports CS Salim Mvurya says the FIFA Series proves Kenya is on the right path to AFCON 2027.
- FIFA Deputy Chief Gelson Fernandes confirms a modern Technical Centre will soon rise in Machakos.
- Both sides vow to spread top-class facilities beyond Nairobi to tap rural talent.
The Kenyan government has hailed the ongoing FIFA Series as a clear sign of growing trust between the country and world football’s governing body.
Speaking after meeting a high-ranking FIFA delegation in Nairobi on Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, said the tournament gives local organisers vital practice ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
“This event shows FIFA believes in our plans,” Mvurya noted. “When the President of FIFA and the CAF boss visited last year, they promised support. This competition is that promise in action.”
The CS added that staging matches in Nairobi helps build Kenyan skills in ticketing, security, media and crowd control, all key areas for AFCON 2027.
FIFA Deputy Chief Member Associations and Regional Director for Africa, Gelson Fernandes, led the visiting team that also included FKF President Hussein Mohamed plus senior CECAFA and COSAFA officials.
Fernandes revealed that plans for a FIFA Technical Centre in Machakos remain on course. “Our president and Kenya’s head of state agreed on the land in August. We are fine-tuning designs and will break ground soon,” he said.
He also promised a new FIFA Arena in the country and pledged to review stadium projects in Mombasa so that talent hotspots along the Coast are not left out.
Mvurya welcomed the ideas, saying, “Talent lives in every county, not just the capital. Working with FIFA, we will give young players modern pitches and coaching no matter where they are born.”
