Uganda will participate in the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time in history after qualifying through the 2025 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco.
The landmark achievement marks a major milestone in the country’s youth football development and will see the Ugandan team compete against the world’s best in Qatar from 3 to 27 November 2025.
The 2025 edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup is set to be the biggest in the tournament’s history, with the field expanded from 24 to 48 teams.
Uganda joins nine other African nations—Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Mali, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, and Zambia—in representing the continent at the global showpiece.
Originally launched in 1985, the FIFA U-17 World Cup has been a stepping stone for many of the game’s greats, including Ronaldinho, Toni Kroos, Cesc Fabregas, and Phil Foden.
Past winners include Nigeria, Brazil, and most recently, Germany, who lifted the trophy in 2023 after a thrilling campaign in Indonesia.
The tournament’s expanded format allows for increased global representation, with teams from all six FIFA confederations earning places through regional qualifiers. For Africa (CAF), the 2025 edition allocated 10 spots, the highest ever for the continent.
While the group stage draw and host cities are yet to be announced, anticipation is building for Uganda’s debut.
With global scouts and top clubs paying close attention, the tournament offers young talents a platform to showcase their abilities under the global spotlight.
