While Kenya’s Harambee Stars will not be on the pitch when the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday, the country will still have a powerful presence at football’s grandest stage — and her name is Terry Ouko.
FIFA has appointed the former Harambee Starlets defender as the Sustainability and Human Rights Venue Manager at the iconic Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, placing her at the heart of one of the tournament’s most high-profile venues just days before the competition begins.
The appointment is historic. With no Kenyan players competing and no Kenyan referee officiating, Ouko becomes Kenya’s most significant representative at the 2026 World Cup — not through sport alone, but through governance, integrity, and purpose.
“Football has always been more than a game to me. It is a space where people from every background meet as equals. My responsibility in Atlanta is to ensure that everyone who walks into that stadium feels protected, respected and genuinely welcomed,” Ouko said in an exclusive interview with FIFA.
In her new role, Ouko will oversee the matchday implementation of FIFA’s standards on safeguarding, anti-discrimination, human rights, inclusion, and environmental sustainability. The 75,000-seater venue — home to NFL side Atlanta Falcons and MLS club Atlanta United FC — will host five group-stage matches, a Round of 32 tie, a Round of 16 fixture, and a World Cup semifinal.
Ouko was emphatic that the role carries a responsibility far greater than stadium logistics.
“This is not just about managing a venue. It is about protecting dignity, promoting equality, and ensuring sustainability is not a slogan but a lived reality at a World Cup stage,” she said.
Her credentials are formidable. Ouko serves as Vice President of the Kenya Footballers’ Welfare Association (KEFWA), sits on the FIFPRO Board, and holds the position of Vice Chairperson of the Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee. She also sits on the board of the International Federation of Professional Footballers and is involved in Women and Youth Development programmes under the Africa Beach Soccer Union.
On the field, she represented Kenya at both Under-20 and senior level between 2009 and 2016, including the 2016 CECAFA Women’s Championship where Kenya finished runners-up to Tanzania.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Development from St Paul’s University and recently completed a FIFA Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport at De Montfort University.
As the World Cup countdown enters its final hours, Ouko’s message is clear: the measure of a great tournament goes beyond trophies.
“Success will not only be measured by what happens on the pitch. It will be defined by the legacy we leave behind, the communities we impact, and the standards we set for future tournaments,” she said.
