Uganda national under-17 football team have secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup after defeating Ghana national under-17 football team 8-7 on penalties following a dramatic 2-2 draw in the playoff round of the 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations.
The result sends Uganda to their second-ever FIFA U-17 World Cup appearance while ending Ghana’s hopes in heartbreaking fashion.
The playoff encounter produced late drama as both sides battled for one of Africa’s final qualification spots for the tournament in Qatar.
Ghana’s Black Starlets twice took the lead during regular time and appeared close to securing qualification after Abdul Latif restored their advantage to make it 2-1.
However, Uganda refused to give up and found a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage time when Ibanda Arafat calmly converted a 90th-minute penalty to level the match at 2-2 and force a shootout.
The penalty contest proved equally tense, with both teams converting repeatedly before Uganda finally edged the Black Starlets 8-7 to seal qualification.
The victory marks another major milestone for Ugandan youth football as the young Cubs prepare to represent the country on the global stage later this year.
For Ghana, the defeat represents another painful setback at youth level despite an encouraging performance that had them within touching distance of World Cup qualification.
