Benni McCarthy, Kenya's new national team head coach, has set an unprecedented target for the Harambee Stars during his tenure.
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The East African nation has achieved some moderate success in cup competitions throughout its history. They have successfully qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament on six occasions, and McCarthy will oversee their seventh participation in the competition after signing a two-year deal with the Football Kenya Federation.
Kenya, along with fellow East African nations Uganda and Tanzania, will host Africa's most important football spectacle in 2027. While the Cape Town native will likely still be in charge for the showpiece, the former striker has set his sights on a much loftier ambition.
McCarthy graced the FIFA World Cup stage as a player twice in his career, in 1998 and 2002, and now the 47-year-old hopes to lead Kenya to the global showpiece during his tenure. The former Manchester United assistant's first assignment as boss comes in the next international break, where they will face Gambia and Gabon, and he hopes to secure qualification for the tournament.
"Participating in the World Cup, it is one of the most special feelings in the world, and I want to give them that," McCarthy told BBC Sport Africa.
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"With the right mindset and dedication from the players, and the willingness to learn and willingness to give everything they've got for the cause, I think we can surprise a lot of people by still qualifying for the World Cup."
