Kingston unleashes his Cubs for FIFA U-17 World Cup

Uganda Cubs coach Laryea Kingston has settled on the 21 players he trusts to carry the country’s hopes at the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, with the young side preparing to return to the global stage, determined to build on last year’s historic achievement.

Kingston has confirmed his final squad and shirt numbers for the tournament, which gets underway on November 19 and runs until December 13 in Doha.

The selection brings together promising talent from local clubs, academies and schools, with Vipers SC and KCCA FC providing the biggest numbers.

Vipers have four players in the squad: Hamidu Kasumba, John Brian Owino, Owen Mukisa and Adrian Mukwanga. KCCA FC also contributes four: Fahad Ismail, Ukashsa Jemba, Travor Mubiru and Ashraf Lukyamuzi.

Amus College FC has three representatives in Eze Kombi, Musa Suuna and Henry Muhoozi, while Masaka Sunshine FC also sends three players in Arnold Kayemba, Junior Ofoyirwoth and Isima Magala.

The other six selections are Enoch Ssali Mwesigwa from Volf Soccer Academy, Abdulshakur Babi of Buddo Secondary School, Joseph Dorongin of Rays of Grace Junior School, Yusuf Ssenyonga of Bukedea Comprehensive School, Arafat Ibanda of NEC FC, Mujad Mbalire of Masaka Secondary School and Brian Olwa of Edgars Youth Programme.

Among the familiar faces returning to the World Cup stage are Isima Magala and Adrian Mukwanga, who will be eager to draw on their previous experience as the Cubs seek another memorable campaign.

Uganda have been drawn in Group B alongside the Republic, Ecuador and New Caledonia, with three demanding fixtures standing between them and a place in the knockout rounds.

The Cubs will open against the Korea Republic on Thursday, November 19, at 4:30 p.m. EAT before taking on Ecuador on Sunday, November 22, at 4:00 p.m. Their final group assignment will be against New Caledonia on Wednesday, November 25, at 3:30 p.m. All three matches will be played at Doha Sports City.

Uganda earned its place at the tournament in dramatic fashion in May 2026 during the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The Cubs were pushed all the way by Ghana in a play-off encounter that ended 2-2 after regulation time. However, Uganda kept its composure when it mattered most, winning 8-7 on penalties to secure qualification for a second successive appearance at the global showpiece.

A return with history behind them

The expectations surrounding the Cubs are built on what they achieved at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where they announced themselves on the global stage by reaching the Round of 16.

That campaign was particularly special because it marked the first time any Ugandan national football team had competed at a FIFA World Cup.

Under Brian Ssenyondo, Uganda finished the tournament with two victories, two draws and one defeat, earning respect through a series of performances that showed the country’s young footballers could compete against some of the world’s best.

Their journey did not begin smoothly. Uganda lost 2-1 to Canada in their opening Group K match, but the game still produced a historic moment as the Cubs scored Uganda’s first-ever goal at a FIFA World Cup.

They recovered to draw 1-1 with Chile, thanks to substitute Derrick Ssozi, who struck a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to give Uganda its first point at the competition.

The biggest statement came against France. Forward James Bogere scored in the 18th minute to hand Uganda a memorable 1-0 victory over the 2001 champions and secure a place in the knockout stage.

The Cubs carried that confidence into the Round of 32, where they eliminated African champions Senegal with another 1-0 victory. Abubakar Walusimbi scored the decisive goal in the 14th minute, while goalkeeper Edrisah Waibi stood firm with crucial saves to protect Uganda’s advantage.

Their impressive run eventually came to an end in the Round of 16 against Burkina Faso. Uganda conceded a 77th-minute equaliser in a match that finished 1-1 before losing 5-3 in the penalty shootout.

That experience now provides the foundation for another World Cup adventure.

With Kingston at the helm, the Cubs will head back to Qatar carrying the memories of their historic debut but with fresh ambitions.

The immediate task is to negotiate Group B, starting with Korea Republic, and give Uganda another reason to believe in its rising generation of footballers.

Uganda Cubs’ final 21-man squad and shirt numbers

| No. | Player | Club/School

1. Hamidu Kasumba | Vipers SC |

2. Enoch Ssali Mwesigwa | Volf Soccer Academy

3. Eze Kombi | Amus College FC |

4. Musa Suuna | Amus College FC |

5. John Brian Owino | Vipers SC |

6. Henry Muhoozi | Amus College FC |

7. Abdulshakur Babi | Buddo Secondary School |

8. Arnold Kayemba | Masaka Sunshine FC |

9. Joseph Dorongin | Rays of Grace Junior School |

10. Owen Mukisa | Vipers SC |

11. Fahad Ismail | KCCA FC |

12. Ukashsa Jemba | KCCA FC |

13. Travor Mubiru | KCCA FC |

14. Junior Ofoyirwoth | Masaka Sunshine FC |

15. Yusuf Ssenyonga | Bukedea Comprehensive School |

16. Arafat Ibanda | NEC FC |

17. Mujad Mbalire | Masaka Secondary School |

18. Adrian Mukwanga | Vipers SC |

19. Ashraf Lukyamuzi | KCCA FC |

20. Isima Magala | Masaka Sunshine FC |

21. Brian Olwa | Edgars Youth Programme

Opening Fixtures

November 19: Korea Republic vs Uganda – 4:30 p.m. EAT, Doha Sports City.

November 22: Ecuador vs Uganda – 4:00 p.m. EAT, Doha Sports City.

November 25: Uganda vs New Caledonia – 3:30 p.m. EAT, Doha Sports City.

Tournament Dates: November 19 – December 13, 2026.

Tournament Venue: Aspire Zone, Doha, Qatar.

Finals Venue: Khalifa International Stadium.

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