Former Harambee Starlets defender Terry Ouko has earned a major appointment by FIFA ahead of the upcoming World Cup, which starts on Thursday, June 11.
FIFA has appointed Terry Ouko as the Sustainability and Human Rights Venue Manager at the iconic Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, ahead of the tournament.
Ouko’s appointment places her at the centre of one of the tournament’s key venues, with the competition set to kick off this week.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be one of the tournament’s key hubs, hosting five group-stage matches: Spain vs Cape Verde on June 15, South Africa vs Czechia on June 18, Spain vs Saudi Arabia on June 21, Morocco vs Haiti on June 24, and Uzbekistan vs DR Congo on June 27.
Beyond the group stage, the stadium will also host a Round of 32 match on July 1, a Round of 16 fixture on July 7, and a World Cup semifinal on July 15.
In an exclusive interview with FIFA, Ouko expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting the significance of her role at a time when Kenya remains absent from the global showpiece, with neither Harambee Stars nor Kenyan referees featuring at the tournament.
“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.
Terry Ouko Appointed FIFA Venue Manager for Sustainability & Human Rights
Speaking to the weight of her responsibilities, Ouko was clear about what awaits her and what she will bring to the table for the role.
“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.
In her new role, Ouko will oversee the matchday implementation of FIFA standards on safeguarding, human rights, anti-discrimination, inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
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She will also ensure every fixture at the venue is delivered in a safe, respectful, and responsible environment for fans, teams, officials, and staff.
Ouko stressed that success at the tournament should be measured beyond the scoreline, with community impact and institutional legacy equally serving as key benchmarks.
She added that the standards set in Atlanta should serve as a blueprint for future tournaments, with a focus on the generations that will follow in football’s footsteps.
About Former Harambee Starlets Defender Football Career and Education
Ouko is widely regarded as one of Kenya’s most influential football administrators.
She serves as the 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.
Ouko is also a board member of the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO).
She is also actively involved in Women and Youth Development programmes under the Africa Beach Soccer Union (ABSU), alongside other key governance roles in football administration.
Terry began her football journey while still in school before joining Coastal Queens FC, where she was spotted during the nationwide U23 Sakata Ball tournament.
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Her performances earned her a place at the National Youth Talent Academy (NYTA) and later saw her feature for club sides Spedag and Matuu FC.
She represented Kenya at U20 level and the senior national team, Harambee Starlets, between 2009 and 2016 before transitioning into football administration.
Terry Ouko was part of the squad that competed at the 2016 CECAFA Women’s Championship in September 2016, where Kenya finished runners-up to Tanzania.
