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Jude Ssemugabi and Uganda Cranes players cerebrate his goal against Botswana
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The Uganda Cranes contingent yesterday, departed Botswana for Algeria ahead of their final Group G FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier. Uganda will face the Desert Foxes of Algeria in what will be their last campaign match—a fixture the Cranes will view as being on the verge of making history.
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium in the Algerian city of Tizi Ouzou. While Algeria—led by former Leicester City and Manchester City attacker Riyad Mahrez—have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the USA, Uganda currently sit in second place, vying for a spot among the four best second-placed teams across the nine African qualifying groups.
That dream can only be realized with a victory on Tuesday against the already-qualified Algerian side.
Algeria—led by former Leicester City and Manchester City attacker Riyad Mahrez—have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup
On Thursday, Algeria defeated Somalia 3–0 to become the fourth African team to qualify, joining fellow North African nations Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt. Uganda, meanwhile, edged Botswana 1–0 in Francistown to maintain second place, following Guinea’s 2–1 win over Mozambique.
Uganda can still secure a place among the best second-placed teams if they beat Algeria to reach 21 points, even after the CAF amendment that deducts points earned against the bottom teams in each group. The change was made to balance Group E, where Eritrea withdrew before playing any matches.
This means Uganda’s six points gained from victories over Somalia (home and away) will be deducted—though the same rule affects all other teams.
Cranes players Rodgers Matto, and Allan Okello cerebrate with Ssemugabi
For instance, Burkina Faso beat Djibouti home and away, DR Congo did the same against South Sudan, Senegal was heading for a similar outcome in Juba, and Benin, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Namibia, and Madagascar all benefited from weaker group opponents whose results will also be discounted.
Despite the new CAF format for determining the best four second-placed teams across the nine groups, Uganda’s fate remains in their own hands.
The task is simple: beat Algeria on Tuesday and reach 21 points—keeping alive their dream of a historic World Cup qualification.
