Uganda U-17 head coach Laryea Kingston has declared that securing qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup would be a transformative achievement for both his players and the nation as the Cubs prepare for a decisive playoff showdown against Ghana. The East Africans are now just one step away from making a second consecutive appearance on the global stage, having already made history in 2025 when the nation qualified for a FIFA World Cup for the first time at any level .
The Cubs booked their place in the qualification playoff after finishing third in Group B at the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Uganda’s campaign featured a commanding 3-0 victory over DR Congo , a narrow 1-0 defeat to Cameroon , and a thrilling 2-2 draw against Côte d’Ivoire, sealed by a late Arafat Ibanda penalty .
That result set up a winner-takes-all clash against Ghana’s Black Starlets, with the victor securing one of Africa’s ten available tickets to the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar . The playoff follows a dramatic conclusion to Group D, where Ghana was pushed into the qualification route after Algeria advanced as runners-up via a drawing of lots .
‘A platform to test themselves on the world stage’
Speaking ahead of the crucial encounter, Kingston, a former Ghana international, reflected on the wider significance of what lies at stake.
“It would be massive for Ugandan football,” Kingston told CAF Online. “For the players, it would be an opportunity to test themselves on the world stage and gain invaluable experience. For the country, it would show that the youth development structures are moving in the right direction.”
The 46-year-old holds both UEFA A and CAF B coaching licenses and has previously managed Ghana’s U-17 side and worked within the Right to Dream Academy in Denmark, a system renowned for developing young African talent . That experience has shaped a possession-based philosophy that he believes aligns perfectly with the natural attributes of Ugandan players.
“From the first day I arrived in Uganda, I recognised the quality and potential of Ugandan players,” Kingston said. “Luckily for me, the style of the Ugandan player fits perfectly with the type of football I believe in” .
Kingston acknowledged that some of his young players were affected by the occasion during the tournament opener, with many experiencing international travel for the first time. However, he praised their ability to settle into the game plan as the match progressed . He also drew on his own experience as a player in the 1997 U-17 AFCON, noting that perspective has helped him understand what young footballers go through emotionally during major competitions .
While the immediate focus remains on the playoff, Kingston has been entrusted with a long-term project to overhaul Uganda’s youth structures under a five-year contract, one already bearing fruit .
Scouting the future
The sentiment that the youth system is progressing is reinforced by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA)’s rollout of a nationwide talent identification framework. Launched in 2023 as part of FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme, the initiative aims to provide a structured development pathway for young players under the theme “Giving Every Talent a Chance” .
To date, 641 young players across three regions have participated in identification exercises, with selected prospects progressing to Regional Centres of Excellence and ultimately the National Football Academy . Kingston, however, remains clear-eyed about the work still required.
“We still need to improve our scouting systems and continue identifying the right talent, but I believe we are on the right path,” he said. “At the moment, though, we are taking things one game at a time.”
Uganda’s rise has been swift. The Cubs made their U-17 AFCON debut in 2019, featured again in 2025, and are now competing in their third consecutive continental youth tournament . At the 2025 World Cup in Qatar, Uganda stunned former champions France 1-0 in the group stage and defeated Senegal before bowing out to Burkina Faso on penalties in the Round of 16 . That performance placed the nation among the world’s top 16 teams at U-17 level .
With the World Cup now scheduled to be played annually, the Cubs are determined to ensure this year’s campaign is not a one-off but the continuation of a sustainable footballing revolution.
