Uganda will make their first appearance at the Under-17 World Cup when they face South Korea in their opening Group B match on 19 November.
The Cubs secured their place at the tournament by beating Ghana in a dramatic penalty shootout. Their achievement marks the first time Uganda have qualified for the Under-17 World Cup, and the team will now test itself against three opponents in the group stage: South Korea, Ecuador and New Caledonia.
Arafat Ibanda, Owen Mukisa and a number of other promising young players will carry Uganda’s hopes at the finals. They face a demanding opening phase, with South Korea and Ecuador regarded as the favourites to progress from the group.
Uganda’s schedule means their first two matches will come against those leading contenders. They begin against South Korea before meeting Ecuador, with New Caledonia awaiting them in their final first-round fixture.
The Cubs will therefore need to make a positive start against South Korea before turning their attention to Ecuador three days later. Their group campaign will then conclude against New Caledonia, giving them an opportunity to finish the opening phase strongly.
Although South Korea and Ecuador enter the competition as the sides expected to have the advantage, Uganda have earned their chance to compete at this level after overcoming Ghana. The shootout victory secured a historic place in the finals and set up a group containing both established opposition and a potentially more open contest against New Caledonia.
The three fixtures will determine whether Uganda can advance from Group B in their first Under-17 World Cup appearance. For the Cubs, the tournament begins with the challenge of facing South Korea, followed by Ecuador, before their meeting with New Caledonia completes the first round.
Uganda’s Under-17 World Cup first-round schedule
– 19 November, 13:30: South Korea v Uganda
– 22 November, 13:00: Ecuador v Uganda
– 25 November, 12:30: Uganda v New Caledonia
