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Uganda Cubs head coach Laryea Kingston has named a 35-man provisional squad ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.
The squad largely features players who recently guided Uganda to the CECAFA U-17 title in Kigali, where the Cubs defeated Somalia in a dramatic penalty shootout in the final.
Goalkeeper David Dean Ssegirinya, who saved three penalties in the final, has been included alongside Sebastian Fisher, Arafat Ibanda, Jemba Ukasha, Nicholas Kawooya, Arnold Kayemba, Henry Muhoozi and Junior Ofoyrwth.
Vipers SC have five players in the provisional squad — Hamidu Kasumba, Adrian Mukwanga, Lorian Lwesibawa, Trevor Mubiru and Owen Mukisa.
KCCA FC are represented by Ashraf Lukyamuzu, Ismail Fahad, Jemba Ukasha and Thomas Ogema, while Steven Oyirwoth, who plays for North Carolina Tar Heels, is also included.
Kingston will trim the squad before the team travels to Qatar for the global tournament.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup will run from November 19 to December 13, with the majority of matches played at the Aspire Zone complex. The final is scheduled for Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
Uganda will be returning to Qatar after an impressive World Cup debut in 2025, when the Cubs reached the Round of 16 under Brian Ssenyondo.
They started their campaign with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Canada before drawing 1-1 with Chile. A memorable 1-0 victory over France in their final Group K game earned Uganda a place in the Round of 32 after finishing third with four points.
The Cubs then stunned African giants Senegal 1-0 in the Round of 32, with Abubakali Walusimbi scoring the winner, to advance to the last 16.
Their historic run eventually came to an end against Burkina Faso. The game finished 1-1 before Uganda lost 5-3 on penalties.
The Cubs therefore return to Qatar looking to build on a memorable maiden campaign that produced two victories, one draw and one defeat in regulation time and a place among the final 16 teams.
Uganda Cubs provisional squad
Dean David Ssegirinya, Kasumba Hamidu, Lukyamuzu Ashraf, Mubiru Geofrey, Mukwanga Adrian, Babi Shakur, Joseph Dorongin, Sebastian Fisher, Arafat Ibanda, Inshirah Mahyoub, Ismail Fahad, Jemba Ukasha, Kawooya Nicholas, Arnold Kayemba, Edrine Kiddu, Eze Kombi, Lorian Lwesibawa, Isma Magala, Mujad Mbalire, Trevor Mubiru, Henry Muhoozi, Owen Mukisa, Ngobi Shakur, Ntege Abdul, Junior Ofoyrwth, Thomas Ogema, Olwa Brian, Owino Brian, Steven Oyirwoth, Enock Mwesigwa, Yusuf Ssenyonga, Simon Wanyama, Mussa Sunna, Waita Ibrahim and Steven Balaggadde.
Technical Team
Head Coach: Laryea Kingston
Assistant Coach I: Steven Bengo
Assistant Coach II: Saddam Juma
Goalkeeper Coach: Keneth Magada
Fitness Coach: Felix Ayobo
Team Doctor: Ivan Kulika
Kits Officer: Patrick Senfuka
Team Manager: Jerome Katende
Safeguarding Officer: Vincent Tumusiime
Video Analyst: Abbas Adjei-Grant
Media Officer: Conrad Musiime
