2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Results

Guinea 2 Uganda 1

Algeria 3 Somalia 1

Botswana 2 Mozambique 3

Sunday

Mozambique v Algeria

Tuesday

Somalia v Uganda

Botswana v Guinea

Despite losing 2-1 to Guinea in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers at Stade du Municipal, Morocco on Friday, Cranes coach Paul Put was impressed with the performance of his players.

“The players fought for the game. I don't think we deserved to lose since we played well. They have done what we have been asking them. The decision from the referee for the foul that saw Guinea score a second goal, I didn’t understand. We are going to analyse the situation and see how we can win our next game,” noted Put.

Aguibou Camara had given Guinea the lead in the 10th minute before Fahad Bayo levelled for Uganda in the 30 minutes after taping the ball off goalkeeper Ibrahim Koné.

Uganda thought they had picked a point when substitute Cisse Seydouba curled a free kick in the 94th minute to help Guinea win the tie 2-1.

Though the entire team put up a spirited performance, Travis Mutyaba gave the home side a lot of challenges with his dribbles and runs.

The tie against Guinea gave the Belgian a clear picture of what he can do with the side. Crames will return to action on Tuesday to face Somalia at the same venue.

Uganda is pitted in Group G alongside Algeria, Somalia, Guinea, Botswana, and Mozambique and the winner of each group will qualify for the World Cup. The four best-ranked group runners-up will participate in a play-off to determine which team will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs. Though Ugandans may not have enough expectations concerning this competition, what is important is that there are so many games to be played which is an opportunity for the coach Put to develop his side.

Uganda and Algeria will battle again in the qualifiers having previously faced off in the 2023 AFCON Qualifiers, where the North Africans defeated Cranes home (2-1) and away (2-0).