Uganda will make their first appearance at the Under-17 World Cup when they face South Korea in their opening Group B fixture on 19 November. The Cubs have also been drawn against Ecuador and New Caledonia in the first round of the tournament.
Uganda secured their place at the finals by beating Ghana in a dramatic penalty shootout. The achievement has created a historic moment for the country, with the team preparing to compete at Under-17 World Cup level for the first time.
Among the players carrying Uganda’s hopes are Arafat Ibanda, Owen Mukisa and several other young prospects from the country’s football system. They will now test themselves against teams with greater experience of the competition.
South Korea and Ecuador are regarded as the favourites in Group B, placing Uganda’s first two matches among the most demanding assignments of the opening phase. The Cubs will meet both of those sides before their final group game against New Caledonia.
Despite the challenge, Uganda have an opportunity to make an impression in a group that offers them a route into the next stage. Their campaign begins against South Korea, followed by a meeting with Ecuador, before they complete the first round against New Caledonia.
The Cubs’ qualification came after they overcame Ghana in a tense contest decided from the penalty spot. That result earned Uganda a place among the teams competing at the global finals and gave a generation of young players the chance to represent their country on the world stage.
Their Group B schedule is:
- 19 November, 13:30: South Korea v Uganda - 22 November, 13:00: Ecuador v Uganda - 25 November, 12:30: Uganda v New Caledonia
The opening match against South Korea will provide Uganda with an immediate measure of their level against one of the group’s leading contenders. Ecuador will be their second opponent three days later, while New Caledonia await in the final fixture of the first round.
With qualification already representing a landmark achievement, Uganda will now look to turn that success into a competitive showing in their debut Under-17 World Cup campaign. Arafat Ibanda, Owen Mukisa and their team-mates will have three opportunities to establish themselves against South Korea, Ecuador and New Caledonia as the Cubs begin their first finals campaign.