The road to the 2028 Olympics is officially underway after the Confederation of African Football conducted the draw for the African qualifiers of the women’s football tournament on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt.
The draw, streamed live on CAF TV, set the stage for a highly competitive qualification campaign that will ultimately determine the two African nations that will represent the continent at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Among the standout fixtures, Kenya’s Harambee Starlets have been drawn against Seychelles in the second round of the qualifiers.
Harambee Starlets will open their journey to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics in the second qualifying round against Seychelles.
The home-and-away fixtures will be played within the FIFA international window between October 5 and 13, 2026.
If they advance, Kenya will move into the third round, where they will meet the winner between Malawi and Zimbabwe. Those matches are scheduled for February 23 to March 8.
The tie presents a favourable entry point for Kenya, who will be aiming to build momentum and push deeper into the qualification campaign as they seek a historic return to the Olympic stage.
Elsewhere, African giants face potentially challenging routes early in the competition.
- Nigeria women’s national football team will take on the winner of Sudan vs Comoros
- South Africa women’s national football team await the winner of South Sudan vs Madagascar
- Cameroon women’s national football team are set to face Guinea
- Morocco women’s national football team will battle Congo
Other notable fixtures include Tunisia vs Senegal and DR Congo vs Côte d’Ivoire, underlining the depth and competitiveness of African women’s football.
A total of 35 national teams are participating in the qualification campaign, reflecting the continued growth of the women’s game across the continent.
The teams include traditional powerhouses such as Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, and Cameroon, alongside emerging nations like Rwanda, Botswana, and Malawi.
The qualification process will be played over five rounds, gradually narrowing the field until only two teams remain to secure Africa’s slots at the Olympics.
With only two qualification spots available, the stakes could not be higher. The Olympic Games represent one of the biggest stages in global sport, and African teams will be eager to showcase their progress and competitiveness.
For Kenya, this campaign offers a crucial opportunity to reassert itself on the continental stage following recent efforts to rebuild and strengthen the women’s national team.
The qualifiers also come at a time when women’s football in Africa is experiencing significant growth, driven by increased investment, improved structures, and greater international exposure.
CAF’s structured qualification format is expected to further enhance competitiveness while providing more match experience for teams across different levels.
The winners of the qualification campaign will earn the right to represent Africa at the women’s football tournament at the Los Angeles Olympics, scheduled to run from July 11 to 29, 2028.
As the journey begins, all eyes will be on how teams navigate the demanding five-round format in pursuit of Olympic glory.
For Kenya and its peers, the message is clear: the road to Los Angeles starts now.
