2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers | Saturday, May 9
- Uganda (Queen Cranes) Vs Ghana (Black Princesses) – FUFA Stadium, Kadiba | 4 pm
Uganda’s U-20 Women’s National Team, the Queen Cranes, are one step away from making history as they prepare for a decisive clash against Ghana on Saturday, 9 May 2026, in the final round of the African qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The match will be played at FUFA Stadium Kadiba, and everything on the line for the young Ugandans.
The Queen Cranes trail 2-1 from the first leg in Accra, but an important away goal keeps their hopes alive.
A win at home would see them overturn the deficit and move closer to a historic first ever FIFA World Cup qualification for any Uganda women’s national team.
Ready for the fight
The team completed their final training session on Friday morning at Kadiba, fine tuning preparations ahead of the big day.
Head coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes believes her side is ready.
“We are ready. The girls are positive. We reviewed the first leg and corrected our mistakes. We are going to fight to qualify for the World Cup,” she said.
She admitted Ghana’s strength lies in midfield control and pace in attack, but insisted Uganda has prepared well.
“They are strong in midfield and fast up front, but we know how to handle them. We are confident of a positive result,” she added.
Botes also highlighted the importance of the occasion.
“This is a huge opportunity for us and for women’s football in Uganda. We are managing the pressure well. We want to become the first Uganda women’s team to qualify for a World Cup.”
Captain’s belief
Captain Agnes Nabukenya also expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness.
“We are ready. Training has gone well and everyone is fit and motivated,” she said.
“Our focus is to deliver. We call upon Ugandans to come and support us in big numbers.”
One final step
The winner on aggregate will qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026.
If the teams are level after both legs, the away goals rule will apply, and if still tied, penalties will decide the outcome.
