Junior Starlets stumble against China as U-17 World Cup campaign begins with 3-0 loss

Junior Starlets stumble against China as U-17 World Cup campaign begins with 3-0 loss - Kenya’s Junior Starlets opened their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign with a 3-0 defeat to China in Morocco, leaving them needing wins against the USA and Samoa to boost their knockout-stage hopes. (Photo: FIFA)

Kenya must regroup ahead of clashes against the USA and Samoa after conceding three goals in their opening Group E match in Morocco.

Kenya’s Junior Starlets got their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign off to a disappointing start after suffering a 3-0 defeat to China in their opening Group E match in Rabat, Morocco, on Monday.

The loss at the Mohammed VI Football Academy leaves coach Mildred Cheche’s side needing to regroup quickly as they pursue a place in the knockout stages for the first time in their history.

China took the lead in the 12th minute when Xu Yue’s low shot found its way through the Kenyan defence, giving the Asian side an early advantage.

The Junior Starlets struggled to create clear scoring opportunities in the first half as China enjoyed greater comfort on the ball and continued to put pressure on the Kenyan defence.

Kenya’s Junior Starlets must bounce back quickly from their 3-0 loss to China as they chase a historic place in the U-17 Women’s World Cup knockout stages. (Photo: FIFA)

Kenya’s task became even harder after the break when China scored twice in the space of three minutes to take firm control of the match.

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Xu Xiaotang doubled China’s lead in the 50th minute, reacting quickest to a rebound after a shot struck the woodwork. With the Kenyan defence unable to clear the ball, she finished from close range.

Three minutes later, Xiaotang struck again, heading home a cross from Zhenzhu Fang after Kenya were caught out by another defensive lapse.

Kenya’s Junior Starlets who played their opening Group E match in Rabat, Morocco, on October 19, 2026. (Photo: FIFA)

The two quick goals left the Junior Starlets facing an uphill battle as China tightened its grip on the contest.

Kenya attempted to fight back, with Joan Orwa getting an opportunity to reduce the deficit in the 63rd minute. However, her effort lacked power and was comfortably saved by Chinese goalkeeper Niu Ziqi.

Cheche made second-half changes in an attempt to strengthen her team’s attacking play, but the Junior Starlets could not find a way past China’s defence.

Junior Starlets face an uphill battle after opening their U-17 World Cup campaign with a 3-0 defeat to China. (Photo: FIFA)

The defeat is a setback for Kenya, who have returned to the global stage after making their World Cup debut in 2024 in the Dominican Republic.

During that maiden appearance, the Junior Starlets finished third in Group C with three points. They lost 2-0 to England and 3-0 to North Korea before registering a 2-1 victory over Mexico.

This time, Kenya arrived in Morocco hoping to build on that experience and reach the knockout stages. Their qualification for the 2026 tournament followed an impressive campaign that included a 5-1 aggregate victory over South Africa in the final qualifying round.

The Junior Starlets will now turn their attention to Thursday’s Group E clash against the USA before concluding their group-stage campaign against Samoa on October 25. Both matches will be played at the Mohammed VI Football Academy.