FIFA refereee Omar Artan will be the centre referee for the international friendly match between Arsenal Legends and Harambee Stars Legends on Friday, November 14, 2026 at the Nyayo National Stadium, according to the match organisers.

This comes shortly after the Somali referee was denied entry into the United States of America to officiate at the concluded 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico over visa related issues, before UEFA invited him to officiate the Super Cup final between Aston and PSG.

The highly anticipated encounter, dubbed the Legends Cup, is expected to bring together some of the biggest names associated with Arsenal’s history, offering Kenyan supporters an opportunity to watch former Premier League and international stars in action.

The match will see Arsenal contingent including former captains, Premier League winners and players who featured prominently during different eras of the North London club.

Full list of Arsenal legends

The promotional announcement names the following 21 former footballers:

1. Alex Song – The former Cameroon international midfielder who played for Arsenal between 2005 and 2012.
2. Johan Djourou – The Swiss defender who made more than 140 appearances for the Gunners.
3. Robert Pirès – A member of Arsenal’s famous Invincibles team and one of the club’s most celebrated attacking midfielders.
4. Ashley Cole – The former England international left-back who emerged through Arsenal’s academy and won two Premier League titles.
5. Kieran Gibbs – The former Arsenal left-back who made more than 100 appearances for the senior team.
6. Santi Cazorla – The Spanish midfielder admired for his technical ability and contribution to Arsenal’s FA Cup successes.
7. Bacary Sagna – The French right-back who spent seven seasons at Arsenal.
8. Kolo Touré – An important member of the 2003/04 Invincibles squad.
9. Steve Sidwell – The former Arsenal academy midfielder who later played for several English clubs.
10. Emmanuel Eboué – The Ivorian defender who featured in Arsenal’s 2006 Champions League final campaign.
11. Łukasz Fabiański – The Polish goalkeeper who played for Arsenal before moving to Swansea City.
12. Theo Walcott – The former England winger who spent 12 years at Arsenal and scored 108 goals for the club.
13. Gervinho – The Ivory Coast forward who played for Arsenal during the 2011–2013 period.
14. Martin Keown – The former England defender who was part of Arsenal’s Invincibles.
15. Tony Adams – Arsenal’s legendary former captain, who won four English league titles with the club.
16. Gilberto Silva – The Brazilian midfielder who was another key figure in Arsenal’s unbeaten 2003/04 campaign.
17. Mikaël Silvestre – The former Manchester United and France defender who later joined Arsenal.
18. Yaya Sanogo – The French striker who joined Arsenal in 2013.
19. Jay Bothroyd – The former English striker who came through Arsenal’s youth system.
20. Philippe Senderos – The Swiss defender who represented Arsenal between 2003 and 2010.
21. Yossi Benayoun – The former Israeli international midfielder who spent the 2011/12 season at Arsenal on loan.

The names were published as the contracted football legends in the event’s promotional announcement. However, individual participation has not been independently confirmed by Arsenal FC.

Invincibles reunion at Nyayo Stadium

One of the biggest attractions will be the presence of players associated with Arsenal’s historic 2003/04 Invincibles campaign.

The team, managed by Arsène Wenger, went through an entire Premier League season without losing a match, winning 26 games and drawing 12.

Pirès, Gilberto Silva, Kolo Touré, Ashley Cole, Lauren, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira were among the stars who made that achievement possible.

Although Henry and Vieira are not included in the published Nairobi squad, the presence of Pirès, Gilberto and Touré offers supporters an opportunity to reconnect with one of the greatest periods in Arsenal’s history.

Tony Adams also brings a different dimension to the occasion, having captained Arsenal through several successful periods and established himself as one of English football’s most respected defenders.

There is also a scheduled Arsenal legends coaching clinic featuring Theo Walcott and Ashley Cole at Crawford International School, Tatu City, on November 14, 2026.

A special occasion for Kenyan football

The fixture comes as Kenya continues preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Uganda and Tanzania.

It also follows President William Ruto’s invitation to Arsenal to visit Kenya in 2027, following the club’s Premier League success and celebrations among Kenyan supporters.

The President said he wanted the visit to inspire young footballers and give the club’s sizeable Kenyan fanbase an opportunity to see their heroes. The Standard +1

For Kenyan supporters, the Legends Cup could therefore offer more than an exhibition match. It presents an opportunity to celebrate football history, reconnect with familiar faces and bring together generations of Arsenal supporters.