2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: How Uganda Cranes rivals are preparing for opener

Uganda Cranes starting lineup that beat Niger in the 2023 Africa Cup of nations qualifier.

WORLD CUP 2026 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: How Uganda Cranes rivals are preparing for opener

Fred Mwambu • 09:48 - 11.10.2023

The side currently under the interim stewardship of coach Morley Byekwaso has flown to Bamako the capital of Mali for the first encounter on Friday.

The Uganda Cranes will start their preparations for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with two international build-up matches against Mali and Zambia on Friday 13th and Tuesday 17th October, respectively.

The side currently under the interim stewardship of coach Morley Byekwaso has flown to Bamako the capital of Mali for the first encounter on Friday.

They will then connect to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to face Zambia on Tuesday.

Opponents’ watch

Uganda was placed in Group E of the African qualifiers alongside Algeria, Guinea, Mozambique, Botswana and neighbours Somalia.

Besides Botswana, the rest of the Group E members will be in action with at least two friendly matches each in preparations for the qualifiers that kick off in November.

Algeria play Cape Verde and Egypt at home this Thursday and next Monday at home.

Somalia has booked Niger and Sierra Leone in Morocco while Guinea will test their machinery against their West African neighbours Guinea Bissau and Gabon.

CAF World Cup 2026 qualifiers – Group E watch

International friendlies in October

Algeria

Thursday 12th – vs Cape Verde

Monday 16th October – vs Egypt

Somalia

Saturday 14th October – vs Niger

Tuesday 17th October – vs Sierra Leone

Guinea

Friday 13th October – vs Guinea Bissau

Tuesday 17th October – vs Gabon

Mozambique

Friday 13th October – vs Angola

Monday 16th October – vs Nigeria

*Botswana – No friendly

2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers, Group E

Matchday 1 fixtures;

Guinea vs Uganda

Algeria vs Somalia

Botswana vs Mozambique

Matchday 2 fixtures;

Somalia vs Uganda

Mozambique vs Algeria

Botswana vs Guinea

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