Three times Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Women’s Nations Cup champions Australia beat Kenya’s national football women’s team Harambee Starlets 2-0 to be crowned champions of the inaugural women’s FIFA Series 2026 at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
In front of 20,000 excited home fans in Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium, a goal in each half from skipper Kerr and midfielder Clare Wheeler proved enough for Australia to conclude their ground-breaking jaunt with the victory on Wednesday, April 15th, 2026.
Chelsea star Sam Kerr scored her 75th international goal with help from a goalkeeper howler, while Clare Wheeler added the Matildas’ second after half time to ensure victory over the hosts.
Kerr had the hearts of the 20,000 locals in the stands sunk as the ball trickled through the finger of goalkeeper Lillian Awuor into the net which as disallowed.
There was no fortune in Wheeler’s finish, however, as the midfielder danced past multiple defenders, after being picked out by Caitlin Foord, to score her third international goal.
But the Australians were adamant they were denied a third goal in the 61st minute after Foord found the back of the net.
The Arsenal star got on the end of an Amy Sayer pass but as the Matildas celebrated Foord blasting the ball into the top corner, referee Yordanos Mulugeta ruled the ball had entered from the side netting.
The Australians protested as Mulugeta gestured how the ball made its way to the back of the net and stood by her decision.
Coach Joe Montemurro was up in arms on the sidelines, while Foord received a yellow card for her arguments.
In the end, the world No.15 Matildas were too strong for the 128th ranked Kenyans in claiming the deserved victory.
As well as bouncing back from the disappointment of last month’s Asian Cup final, the victory also served as a fitting celebration for Alanna Kennedy.
It was a landmark afternoon for Alanna Kennedy, who became the fifth Matilda to earn 150 caps and was made captain for the day. The 31-year-old joined teammate Emily van Egmond, Clare Polkinghorne, Cheryl Salisbury and Lisa De Vanna in the elite club.
The FIFA Series is part of Kenya’s preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, slated for Morocco, which will serve as the pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Malawi finish fourth after India defeat
In the third-place playoff, Malawi finished fourth after suffering a 3-2 defeat against India. The Scorchers put up a spirited performance but were twice forced to come from behind in a closely contested match.
Ireen Khumalo and Deborah Henry found the net for Malawi, cancelling out earlier goals from Astam Oraon and Aveka Singh. India, ranked 67th in the world, took the lead in the 18th minute through Oraon before Khumalo equalised in the 43rd minute.
