Doha, Qatar: The Uganda U-17 national team, the Uganda Cubs, have been placed in Group K of the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, facing world football heavyweights France, Chile, and Canada in what marks the country’s historic debut at the prestigious youth tournament.
The draw was conducted on Sunday, May 25, at Raffles Hotel in Doha, Qatar, setting the stage for Uganda’s maiden appearance at the global event slated for November 3 to 27. This year’s edition will be the first to host 48 teams, distributed across 12 groups of four.
Uganda booked its place at the tournament after defeating The Gambia 2-1 in a high-stakes playoff during the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco last month, thanks to a James Bogere, decisive first-half brace, who continues to be a key figure for the Cubs heading into the global contest.
Head coach Brian Ssenyondo and team manager Bashir Mutyaba are already in Qatar attending a pre-tournament technical workshop, held on Saturday, May 24, just a day before the draw, as part of their ongoing preparations.
Uganda was seeded in Pot 4 alongside seasoned youth football nations like Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, and Egypt. While the Cubs are entering as underdogs, their qualification campaign and growing momentum have inspired optimism among local supporters.
The draw sets the tone for a tough group campaign; France are former U-17 World Cup champions and remain perennial contenders, Chile boasts strong youth systems from South America, and Canada has seen growing success in age-grade football on the international stage.
This milestone marks a proud moment for Ugandan football, as the nation continues to build its reputation in global youth competitions.
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