FIFA 2026 World Cup: What Algeria's win over Mozambique means for Uganda's ambitions

Uganda men's national football team, Uganda Cranes. Photo Courtesy/FUFA

FIFA 2026 World Cup: What Algeria's win over Mozambique means for Uganda's ambitions

Stephen Awino 12:06 - 27.03.2025

Uganda Cranes are eying a first time World Cup qualification and their fate could be dependent on results elsewhere in Group G.

Uganda Cranes are eying a first time World Cup qualification and their fate could be dependent on results elsewhere in Group G.

Cranes who currently place fourth in Group G with nine points, tied with Botswana in third, are now sic points away from the summit where Algeria lead with 15 points.

The Ugandans have had mixed results over the international break, winning 3-1 away to Mozambique on March 20, before losing 1-0 to Guinea at home on March 25.

As a result, their fate is no longer in their hands, having to play catch up to their opponents ahead of them and hope that results in those matches go their way.

One such fixture was leaders Algeria taking on Mozambique on March 26.

The result was a resounding 5-1 win for the North Africans, a result with implications on Cranes World Cup hopes.

The result took Algeria further away from the chasing pack, Uganda among them, denting Cranes hopes of automatic qualification via claiming the top spot.

However, it did leave the side with hopes of catching up to second-placed Mozambique who sit on 12 points, just four shy of Uganda with four games to go.

While claiming a top spot finish is still mathematically possible, if that route puts a damper in their ambitions, Uganda will hope to catch up to second-placed Mozambique and perhaps overtake them.

This will put them in a position where they could potentially contest to be among the four best runners-up in the groups, providing them with another chance of qualification.

The four best second-placed teams will face off in two semi-finals before a final where the winner will have an opportunity compete against other global regions for a final chance at qualification.

With games against Mozambique and Somalia at home and Botswana and Algeria away yet to come, Cranes head coach Paul Put will hope his charges get the kind of results that will strengthen their position.