Benni McCarthy has stated that Kenya has the potential to “surprise a lot of people” by qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after being appointed as the new head coach of the national team.

The South African coach, 47, has signed a two-year contract to lead the Harambee Stars until the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in East Africa.

McCarthy takes over from interim coach Francis Kimanzi, who had been in charge since Turkish coach Engin Firat stepped down at the end of last year.

His first matches as head coach will be this month’s World Cup qualifiers, which will see Kenya play away to The Gambia and at home against Gabon.

“Participating in the World Cup is one of the most special feelings in the world and I want to give them that,” McCarthy told BBC Sport Africa.

“With the right mindset and dedication from the players, and the willingness to learn and willingness to give everything they’ve got for the course, I think we can surprise a lot of people by still qualifying for the World Cup.”

Can Kenya qualify for 2026 World Cup?

Kenya is currently in fourth place in Group F, with five points from four games, trailing leaders Ivory Coast by five points.

Only the group winners qualify automatically for the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the USA, while the four best runners-up across the nine groups will have a chance through the playoffs.

McCarthy, South Africa’s all-time top scorer, played for his national team at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. On the other hand, Kenya has never qualified for the tournament.

The former South African international and UEFA Champions League winner was also previously a striker’s coach at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag.

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