Cranes chase miracle win against Algeria to keep World Cup dream alive

2026 FIFA World Cup

African Qualifiers

Group G

Today 7pm

Algeria v Uganda

Uganda Cranes will be seeking to end Algeria’s 11-match home unbeaten run when the two sides face off today evening in a decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup Group G qualifier. The Cranes must win to keep their faint qualification hopes alive.

Algeria have already sealed top spot in Group G which earned them direct qualification to the final tournament after a commanding 3-0 victory over Somalia last Thursday, which took them to 22 points, four ahead of second-placed Uganda (18). Today’s match will conclude the qualifying campaign for both teams.

For Uganda to stand any chance of progressing, they must not only beat Algeria but also do so convincingly to boost their goal difference.

The Cranes are vying to be among the four best second-placed teams across the nine African qualifying groups, who will advance to the CAF playoffs for a shot at the intercontinental play-offs, the final pathway to the World Cup.

Teams such as Gabon, Burkina Faso, Niger, Cameroon, and DR Congo are also in contention for the four playoff slots reserved for the best second-placed teams across the nine groups. Uganda currently sits seventh with 12 points, four behind leaders Gabon (16). Burkina Faso and Niger have 15 each, Cameroon 14, while DR Congo follow closely with 13.

The Cranes have shown remarkable resilience to stay in contention. After a slow start, they have put together four straight victories without conceding a single goal, defeating Guinea (1-0), Mozambique (4-0), Somalia (2-0), and Botswana (1-0).

Their defensive solidity and renewed confidence have given Cranes fans a glimmer of hope. Yet today’s challenge looms larger than any of the previous four. Algeria have beaten Uganda in all their last six encounters across competitions, and the memories are still fresh.

In August, the North Africans humbled Uganda 3-0 at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala during the African Nations Championship (CHAN) opening match. Last year in June, Algeria silenced the same venue with a 2-1 humiliating defeat in the ongoing World Cup qualifiers.

Despite the daunting statistics, Uganda can draw inspiration from Guinea, the last side to beat Algeria at home. The Syli Nationale stunned the Desert Foxes 2-1 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers during the same qualifying campaign in June 2024.

Uganda’s Belgian head coach, Paul Put, is choosing faith over fear. Speaking after the team’s narrow win over Botswana last Thursday in Gaborone, Put said he believes in miracles and sees this as a moment of destiny.

“In football, everything is possible. When I was head coach of Burkina Faso, I was one minute away from qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil against Algeria. I lost to them, but I feel they did not deserve to win. I am therefore going for revenge,” Put said with a smile.

“I have told the players that we have to win this game because anything is possible. I know it will not be easy; the journey has been long and frustrating but we must prepare our minds and believe in ourselves,” he added.