Africa-Press – Uganda. The vibrant rhythm of Ugandan flags and chants has become a defining feature of the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup at the Aspire Zone in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Every time the Uganda national U-17 team, the Cubs, steps onto the pitch, a sea of red, black, yellow—and now white—erupts, transforming the desert air into a slice of Kampala thousands of kilometers away.
Commentators across Uganda’s three group games have frequently paused to acknowledge the fans whose energy has brought the tournament alive.
The Cubs are the first Ugandan team ever to feature at a FIFA World Cup tournament. Their campaign began with a narrow 2-1 loss to Canada after a late lapse in concentration. However, James Bogere’s late goal secured a 1-1 draw against Chile, before the team stunned 1991 winners and 2023 finalists France with a 1-0 victory, propelling them into the Round of 32.
While the victory over France was historic, the story of the tournament has been equally about the remarkable support Ugandan fans have provided.
Hamza Umar Ssebagala, a devoted Ugandan fan, made the 578-kilometer journey from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Al Rayyan—an over six-hour drive.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For many of us, we’ve only watched other African teams at this level. To see Uganda represented on this stage, we had to be here, witness history, and feel the atmosphere,” Ssebagala said.
Despite challenges navigating ticketing systems and logistics, fans arrived in droves, helping each other gain access to the stadiums and infusing the games with unmatched energy.
“Even after the loss to Canada, the fans stayed. They cheered, encouraged the boys, and lifted their spirits. That energy pushed the team forward,” said Cubs’ head coach Brian Ssenyondo.
James Bogere, who scored the decisive goal against France, emphasized the role fans played in the Cubs’ success.
“They leave their jobs to come watch us. We promised to make them proud, and we kept that promise. Winning against France was for them as much as it was for us,” Bogere said.
Ugandan journalist Clive Kyazze, covering the tournament in Qatar, described the fan phenomenon as a “game changer.”
“The games Uganda played have been the most attended, even surpassing Qatar’s own matches. After the Canada game, FIFA and organizers beefed up security for our second match against Chile. Players said it felt like home. This generation of fans is different because they love their national teams and they show up,” Kyazze said.
Kyazze also praised the Aspire Zone for its world-class facilities.
“Each pitch has locker rooms, floodlights, and excellent access. The facility isn’t just beautiful but very functional. Everything—from player logistics to fan movement—is meticulously planned. This is the level of organization we need as Uganda gears up for the 2027 Pamoja AFCON.”
Shamim, another Ugandan fan living in Doha, added:
“Everything here is world-class. I wish our government could learn from this. Instead of one big stadium that hosts only one big match a year, we could invest in smaller, modern pitches like Aspire Zone, spread them across cities and towns to nurture talent and make the game accessible.”
With over 140,000 Ugandans living or working in the Gulf States, including approximately 25,000 in Qatar alone, fans are expected to swell in numbers as Uganda prepares to face Senegal in the Round of 32 on Sunday, promising an electrifying atmosphere.
The Cubs’ journey at the FIFA U-17 World Cup has not only made history on the pitch but has also highlighted the unwavering passion of Ugandan fans abroad, proving that distance cannot dampen the spirit of national pride.
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