The president of Uganda's football governing body FUFA, Moses Magogo, is "very optimistic" about Uganda getting the greenlight to host 2026 World Cup qualification matches at the refurbished Mandela National Stadium next month.

This follows a second inspection of the facility by Africa's football governing body CAF mid-this week.

It emerged that a CAF inspector was on Wednesday taken on a tour of the stadium — which is still under renovation — by Lt Col Peter Seku Kidemuka.

Kidemuka is the project engineer from the engineering brigade of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), who are handling the works.

Sports state minister Peter Ogwang and FUFA officials led by Magogo were on the tour.

Namboole Stadium, as it is better known, was initially inspected but was subjected to re-inspection by officials of both CAF and world football governing body FIFA.

CAF and FIFA demanded that the stadium be renovated to have a better playing surface, modern floodlights and to turn it into an all-seater facility. 

After the second inspection, Magogo said on social media platform X that the CAF inspector made his report and left.

“When we organized the Namboole test matches, we sent pictures and videos and I am happy to report that CAF was impressed," he said.

Namboole Stadium, as it is better known, was initially inspected but was subjected to re-inspection by officials of both CAF and world football governing body FIFA.

"We are yet to receive a final communication, but they sent an inspector who was here yesterday [Wednesday], he did his report and left today,” said the Budiope East MP.

“Let us keep praying, but I am very optimistic, as we expect an answer in the next couple of days."

'Decision in a week or two'

Magogo had already talked of Uganda's readiness to host the World Cup qualifiers at Namboole.

“They asked us to organize matches to test our capacity,” he said, referring to CAF.

The two test league games registered a huge attendance. Title contenders BUL edged reigning champions Vipers 1-0 while KCCA beat SC Villa 2-0.

“People need to understand that Mandela National Stadium renovation works are still ongoing, but as FUFA, we pressed the contractors because we need to host the matches in June here,” said FUFA chief Magogo.

He said organizing the two test matches cost not less than sh60 million and he thanked all who promoted the games.

“We observed and identified the challenges and this was the purpose of the #NambooleTestGames. If you concentrate on only the challenges then you are not fair because the contractor is yet to hand over," said Magogo on X.

“The efforts we are making are to ensure that we host our games here and we expect a decision in about a week or two. Some of the pending issues the contractors have assured us will be complete by that time."

A total of nine slots are up for grabs for Africa (CAF) at the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.

For the qualifiers, Uganda is in Group G alongside Algeria, Guinea, Mozambique, Botswana and Somalia.

The group winner will directly qualify for the World Cup, and the runner-up could compete in the play-off to advance to the inter-confederation playoffs.

All teams have so far played two qualification matches, with Algeria leading the group on a maximum six points. Uganda, Botswana, Guinea and  Mozambique are all on three points, with Somalia bottom with no point.

Uganda started off their campaign last November with a 1-2 defeat against Guinea, before beating Somalia 1-0 in the same month.

This June, the Uganda Cranes will host Botswana and Algeria.