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Uganda’s Sand Cranes have been handed a challenging group at the 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations after being drawn alongside five-time champions and hosts Senegal, Mozambique and Ghana in Group A.
The draw, conducted in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday, places Uganda against one of the most successful sides in African beach soccer. Senegal head into the tournament as defending champions after winning five consecutive AFCON titles in 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2024. They will now be seeking to extend that remarkable run on home soil.
The meeting with Senegal will also present an opportunity for Uganda to improve their record against the West Africans, having lost both previous encounters at the Beach Soccer AFCON.
The Sand Cranes suffered a 5-1 defeat against Senegal in their opening match at the 2021 edition before falling 10-1 in the 2022 tournament in Mozambique. Uganda will now be hoping for a different outcome when the two sides meet again.
Mozambique and Ghana complete Group A, leaving the Sand Cranes with three demanding opponents as they seek to secure a place in the semi-finals.
Group B comprises Mauritania, Morocco, Malawi and Angola, with Mauritania, the 2024 runners-up, having been seeded in the group.
The tournament will run from November 28 to December 6, 2026, in Senegal. The two finalists will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
Uganda secured their place at the finals after overcoming Burundi 9-6 on aggregate in the qualifiers. The Sand Cranes drew the first leg 4-4 before winning the return leg 9-6 at Bunjako Beach.
Uganda will be aiming to improve on their best-ever finish of fourth place, achieved during their maiden appearance at the 2021 edition in Senegal. The Sand Cranes reached the semi-finals before losing 6-3 to Mozambique and subsequently falling 5-3 to Morocco in the third-place play-off. They finished fifth at the 2022 tournament in Mozambique.
