The Kenya National Team, Harambee Stars, has never qualified for the coveted FIFA World Cup.
Some players in the team, nonetheless, have had an opportunity to watch and feel the premier international competition.
This was in 2014 when President Uhuru Kenyatta sponsored a section of the team players' to watch World Cup matches in Rio, Brazil.
The trip was a gift to the team after it won the 2013 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup with a 2 - 0 victory over Sudan.
“We are keenly watching them and we hope that as much as they are not participating in the event, they will be great ambassadors of Kenya in Brazil,” Uhuru said at the time.
13 players and three coaches embarked on the trip to Brazil to catch a match between Portugal and West African giants Ghana.
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Among players who made the trip were goalkeepers Jerim Onyango, Duncan Ochieng, and Wilson Oburu. The three are now part of the technical staff at Kariobangi Sharks, Tusker and Bandari respectively.
David Owino, James Situma, Wycliffe Kasaya, Jockins Atudo, Cliffton Miheso, Francis Kahata, Paul Kiongera, Musa Mohammed, and Jacob Keli also made the trip.
The coaches present were Adel Amrouche, James Nandwa, and Ken Odhiambo.
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FKF officials, however, were embarrassingly not factored into the trip, owing to corruption allegations that had been levelled against them at the time.
Kenya bungled its chances of ever qualifying for the tournament to be held this year when they heavily lost to Mali 5 - 0 away and 1 - 0 at home.
Qualifiers for the 2026 edition to be co-hosted by the USA and Canada, shall possibly kick off next year.
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