FKF launches U17 World Cup 2027 talent scouting in Ndhiwa, Homa Bay

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has kicked off its Road to U17 World Cup 2027 talent search with the first scouting exercise set for Sunday, January 25, at ACAKORO Campus in Ndhiwa, Homa Bay County.

Targeting boys born in 2011, the programme is part of FKF’s nationwide effort to identify and nurture the next generation of Kenyan footballers.

Selected players will enter a long-term development pathway, combining formal education with elite football training at Kenya’s first residential football academy.

FKF Technical Director Francis Kimanzi stressed that the Federation will oversee the process to ensure it is structured, transparent, and professional.

“This is a step in the right direction for our youth development structures,” Kimanzi said. “We will be on the ground to oversee the entire process and ensure that the scouting is done in a structured, transparent and professional manner. This is about laying a proper foundation for the future of our national teams.”

ACAKORO General Manager Lukas Mott added that international scouts will assist, with 10 to 15 players expected to be selected from this first exercise.

“We are really looking forward to this and we even have an international scout on the ground to support the process,” Mott said. “From this first phase, we expect to select between 10 and 15 players. This is only the beginning, as the programme will gradually expand into other regions across the country.”  

Participation is free, but players must bring original birth certificates, sportswear, and football boots.

Ndhiwa marks the first of several regional scouting events aimed at building a clear pipeline from grassroots football to Kenya’s national teams ahead of the 2027 U17 World Cup.