Kenya will be facing 2018 World Cup winners France four days after playing African champions Ivory Coast in Nairobi.
Harambee Stars will play 2018 World Cup winners France in June as part of their continued preparations to form a formidable side for the 2026 World Cup as well as the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
This is according to a reliable source close to the Football Kenya Federation, who spoke to Pulse Sports on condition of anonymity on Sunday night.
Last November, head coach Engin Firat had told People Sports he would try to arrange a possible friendly match against the French or reigning Euro holders Italy.
Now, the proposed suggestion has become a reality, with both sides set to face each other at Eintracht Frankfurt’s Waldstadion in Germany
20:30 - 24.11.2023
FOOTBALL Firat: Harambee Stars targeting high-profile friendly against France or Italy
Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has disclosed that he is planning on having a friendly match between Kenya and either France or Italy next summer
“As you know, we have been playing a lot of friendly matches in recent times against some of the world’s best teams, such as Qatar, the reigning Asian champions and World Cup regular outfits Iran and Russia, “ the source stated.
“Ahead of France’s opening Euro 2024 match against Austria, we will be playing them in a friendly match on 14th June.”
This news will come as a huge boost for Kenyan football and the side in itself, as head coach Engin Firat has tried to make it possible for the side to gain as much exposure as possible outside the confines of the African continent.
Kenya have never faced either four-time world champions Italy or France, who have won the World Cup twice, and it remains to be seen if Firat’s efforts will yield results.
07:32 - 29.03.2024
FOOTBALL The winners and losers from Harambee Stars' Four Nations Tournament triumph
Engin Firat is among the biggest winners' from Harambee Stars' Malawi Four Nations Tournament triumph, but who are the other gainers and losers from the international break?
Harambee Stars lost 2-1 to Iran in March before a 2-1 win away to Qatar in September and followed it with a thrilling 2-2 draw with Russia in October.
They got their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign off to a bad start when they lost 2-1 away to Gabon but made amends by beating Seychelles 5-0.
They then followed it up with a dominant tournament in Malawi in March, where they beat the hosts 4-0 before following it up with a 3-1 win over Zimbabwe.
Both Italy and France have already qualified for Euro 2024 and Firat will be hoping to secure the match before they begin the June 41-July 14, 2024 tournament in Germany which will also act as part of Kenya’s preparations for their World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast on June 3 and 10 respectively.
19:45 - 29.03.2024
FOOTBALL Firat reveals the most valuable thing Harambee Stars gained in Malawi ahead of Ivory Coast challenge
Harambee Stars boss Engin Firat has revealed the biggest thing his squad have gained in Malawi that could help them overcome Ivory Coast and Burundi in Nairobi in June.