The stage is prepared, the issue is immense, and the mission is obvious—Uganda’s U17 Nationwide Group, The Uganda Cubs is heading once more to Morocco determined to point out that their historic 2025 run was no fluke.
Following the official draw for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2026, Uganda has been positioned in a daunting Group B alongside continental heavyweights Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and DR Congo. Dubbed the match’s “Group of Dying,” the pool ensures high-intensity clashes from the very first whistle.
The match will run from thirteenth Would possibly to 2nd June 2026 in Morocco, the place the hosts moreover enter as a result of the reigning U-17 AFCON champions.
Nevertheless for a facet that has already shaken the worldwide stage, these giants characterize various fairly than concern.
Uganda arrives on the match utilizing on the wave of a breakthrough 2025 advertising marketing campaign—one which redefined the nation’s place in youth soccer. The “Cubs” made historic previous in Morocco, displaying resilience and character in the direction of excessive opposition.
After struggling a heavy 5–0 defeat to hosts Morocco of their opening match, Uganda responded in style with a commanding 3–0 win over Tanzania. A slender 2–1 loss to Zambia adopted, nonetheless the youthful facet held their nerve when it mattered most, edging The Gambia 2–1 in a high-stakes playoff to protected a historic qualification to the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
That achievement alone would have marked a milestone—nonetheless the Cubs went even extra.
On the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, Uganda captured worldwide consideration with a fearless run. Drawn in a hard group, they shocked former champions France with a well known 1–0 victory. The momentum continued into the knockout stage, the place they eradicated African rivals Senegal by the similar scoreline to reach the Spherical of 16.
Their excellent journey lastly resulted in a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to Burkina Faso, nonetheless by then, Uganda had already launched itself as a rising energy in world soccer.
Now, the primary goal shifts once more to Africa.
At stake is further than merely continental pleasure—the best 10 teams on the match will qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar as Africa’s representatives.
To get there, Uganda ought to navigate a path via among the many continent’s most formidable sides.
All groups
