Kenya’s football scene witnessed significant activity during the January 2026 transfer window, with 30 players joining local clubs and 11 moving abroad, as teams worldwide strengthened their squads for the ongoing season.
According to FIFA’s January Transfer Snapshot 2026, transfers out of Kenya generated $154,000 (Sh19.8 million) for local teams, while spending on incoming players totaled $40,000 (Sh5.2 million).
The snapshot highlights global trends, recording over 5,900 international transfers in men’s football during January, with total spending surpassing $1.9 billion (Sh245.2 billion).
“More than $1.9 billion was spent by clubs on international transfer fees, a decrease of about 18 per cent compared to January 2025, but still more than 20 per cent above the figures recorded in January 2023,” FIFA said.
Globally, Brazil led men’s football transfers, welcoming 456 players and sending 204 abroad, spending $180 million (Sh23.2 billion) and earning $155 million (Sh20 billion) from outgoing transfers. Spain followed with 244 incoming and 177 outgoing players, spending $99.1 million (Sh12.8 billion) and receiving $139 million (Sh17.9 billion).
Argentina completed 237 incoming and 228 outgoing transfers, spending $19.9 million (Sh2.6 billion) and generating $30.9 million (Sh4 billion).
England ranked fourth, with 193 players joining clubs and 206 leaving, spending $363 million (Sh46.8 billion) and receiving $150 million (Sh19.4 billion). Portugal rounded out the global top five, recording 152 incoming and 163 outgoing transfers, spending $69.8 million (Sh9 billion) and collecting $90.4 million (Sh11.6 billion).
In Africa, Morocco led the continent, bringing in 104 players and sending 23 abroad, spending $4.21 million (Sh543.3 million) and earning $2.17 million (Sh280 million) from outgoing transfers. Egypt followed with 94 incoming and 27 outgoing players, spending $1.63 million (Sh210.3 million) and generating $1.56 million (Sh201.3 million), while Tunisia recorded 72 arrivals and 37 departures, spending $647,000 (Sh83.5 million) and receiving $2.88 million (Sh371.6 million).
Tanzania and Rwanda ranked fourth and fifth, showing growing East African league activity. Tanzania saw 40 players join and 31 leave, spending $700,000 (Sh90.3 million) and earning $325,000 (Sh41.9 million). Rwanda recorded 34 incoming and 15 outgoing transfers, though no fees were reported.
Women’s professional football also set a new record, with clubs spending over $10 million (Sh1.3 billion) on international transfer fees during the January window.
“This is more than 85 per cent above the previous record from January 2025. More than 420 international transfers were recorded, a slight decrease of just under 6 per cent compared to January 2025,” FIFA said.
“Clubs in England were the top spenders in women’s football (> $5m), and they also made the most incoming transfers.”
