Kampala, Uganda – Uganda Cranes return to the iconic Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, tonight at 7:00 PM with their sights firmly set on victory against Somalia in a must-win fixture as the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers enter the eighth round.
Fresh off a dominant 4-0 win over Mozambique, the Cranes are now level on 12 points with the Mambas, just three behind second-placed Guinea. Group G leaders Algeria remain six points ahead, but with three games remaining, Uganda still has a fighting chance in the tightly contested playoff race.
Tonight’s opponent, Somalia, sits at the bottom of the group with just one point from seven matches. A 3-0 defeat to Guinea on Friday at the same venue marked their latest setback in a campaign that has seen them concede 14 goals while netting only three. Uganda, in contrast, holds a flawless head-to-head record against Somalia—seven wins from seven encounters.
Despite Somalia’s poor form, Cranes captain Khalid Aucho has cautioned against complacency. “These regional games can throw up surprises. We must remain disciplined and focused,” he said in a pre-match briefing.
Elsewhere in Group G, a critical clash between Algeria and Guinea in Morocco could shake up the qualification standings. A win for Guinea would intensify the race, particularly if Uganda and Mozambique also collect three points tonight.
The stakes are high. Only the top team in the group secures automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, while the runner-up may still have a chance through intercontinental playoffs.
Though Somalia are already eliminated from contention, they’ll be playing for pride—and could relish the opportunity to derail Uganda’s campaign. For the Cranes, however, the mission is clear: take all three points and keep the World Cup dream alive.