Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed has confirmed that a high-powered delegation of top federation officials will embark on a strategic tour of France, a move aimed at securing technical partnerships ahead of the 2027 AFCON.

The announcement comes as the federation seeks to modernize Kenya's football infrastructure and technical capacity. Hussein, who has been aggressive in seeking global benchmarks since taking office, described the French trip as a "game-changer" for youth development and coaching standards in the country.

Benchmarking with the Best

"We are not going there for a holiday," Hussein asserted during a press briefing at Kandanda House. "France is a global factory for football talent. We are going to sign partnerships that will see our coaches trained by the best, and our youth academies structured on a world-class model. If we want to compete at the World Cup, we must learn from World Cup winners."

The delegation is expected to meet with officials from the French Football Federation (FFF) and visit the renowned Clairefontaine academy. The goal is to replicate the "French model" of talent identification in Kenya, a country teeming with raw talent but starved of elite development structures.

• The 2027 AFCON Agenda: With Kenya co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, the pressure is on to present a competitive team, not just distinct stadiums. Hussein's administration is banking on these European partnerships to fast-track the development of the Harambee Stars' future core.
• Critics and Cost: The trip has not been without its detractors, who question the cost of such delegations when local clubs are struggling financially. However, Hussein defended the expenditure as an investment. "You cannot grow in isolation," he countered. "We need this expertise."

A New Trajectory?

This tour follows a similar benchmarking mission to Morocco, signaling a clear pattern in Hussein’s leadership style: outward-looking and ambitious. The challenge, as always, will be translating these high-profile visits and signed MoUs into tangible grass-roots impact on the dusty pitches of Jericho and Kisumu.

As the delegation packs their bags for Paris, the Kenyan football fraternity watches with bated breath, hoping that this time, the "benchmarking" brings back more than just souvenirs.