In a landmark moment for Ugandan football, the Uganda Cubs have secured their first-ever qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, set to take place in Qatar from November 3-27, 2025. The achievement, earned through a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Gambia in the 2025 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations play-offs in Morocco, marks a new chapter in the nation’s youth football journey.
The Cubs, coached by Brian Ssenyondo, showcased resilience at El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida, with James Bogere’s brace overturning an early deficit. “This is history for Uganda,” Ssenyondo said post-match, as fans celebrated the nation’s maiden World Cup appearance at any level.
Uganda joins an elite group of African representatives—Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Mali, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, and Zambia—in the expanded 48-team tournament, the largest in FIFA U-17 World Cup history. Launched in 1985, the competition has launched stars like Ronaldinho, Toni Kroos, and Phil Foden, with Nigeria, Brazil, and 2023 champions Germany among past winners.
The 2025 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted in Morocco from March 30 to April 19, saw Uganda navigate a tough Group A alongside Tanzania, Zambia, and the hosts. Their spirited campaign culminated in the play-off win, securing one of Africa’s 10 allocated spots for Qatar—the continent’s highest-ever representation.
The expanded format, featuring teams from all six FIFA confederations, promises a global spectacle. While the group stage draw and Qatar’s host cities are yet to be confirmed, anticipation is soaring for Uganda’s debut. With scouts from top clubs watching, the tournament offers the Cubs a chance to shine on the world stage.
This milestone underscores Uganda’s growing youth football infrastructure, with players like Bogere and Abubakali Walusimbi—named CECAFA qualifiers’ best player—tipped for bright futures. As the nation rallies behind its Cubs, the road to Qatar 2025 is a historic opportunity to inspire a new generation.
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