Kenya Women’s Hockey Team Qualifies for 2026 World Cup After 40-Year Wait

The Kenya Women’s National Hockey Team, the *Hudumas*, secured qualification for the 2026 FIH Women’s World Cup in the Netherlands on July 27, 2025—ending a 40-year absence from the global stage. They finished second at the Africa Cup in Accra, edging Ghana 3–2 in a penalty shootout after a 1–1 draw. Goalkeeper Wanjiru Njoroge saved two strokes, while striker Aisha Mwangi scored the equalizer in the 58th minute. The revival followed a grassroots boom in schools and a partnership with Hockey Netherlands for coaching exchanges. Hockey Kenya received KSh 45 million in SportPesa funding to upgrade the City Park pitch to water-based turf. Our grandmothers played barefoot on dirt. We play for them—and the next generation, said captain Maryanne Mbugua.