Uganda Cranes 2027 preparations took centre stage as FUFA President Moses Hassim Magogo said Government will fund the entire Uganda Cranes budget and players will travel business class for AFCON 2027.
Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania will co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in June 2027, with infrastructure development and tournament preparations already under way.
Magogo said FUFA must keep Ugandans informed about national-team matters while giving its teams opportunities to compete at the highest level.
The federation’s programme covers the U-15, U-17, U-20, Sand Cranes, Crested Cranes and Uganda Cranes, reflecting a pathway across age groups.
The U-15 national team will contest the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan from 22 to 31 October 2026.
FUFA expects the squad to be selected largely from the FUFA Academy League and possibly the FUFA Juniors League.
The Sand Cranes will play Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Burundi from 18 to 20 October, while the Crested Cranes are expected to assemble before their 8 October Olympic qualifier against Zambia.
One U-17 team is already in camp for African qualifiers, while another is preparing for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The Uganda U-20 national team is in Tanzania for a Sudan match that will decide its Africa Cup of Nations U-20 qualification.
The debate now is whether full funding, business-class travel and new facilities can convert this expanded pathway into lasting success for the Cranes.
Magogo credited Government for progress in funding, legislation and infrastructure, saying support has also reached clubs.
AFCON-linked development is expected to leave Uganda with international stadiums in Namboole, Hoima and Akii-Bua.
Training facilities are being developed across the northern, Hoima and Namboole clusters.
FUFA is also discussing facilities for Mbarara, Fort Portal, Jinja, Mbale and West Nile.
FUFA says its objective is a Uganda Premier League-standard facility in each of Uganda’s 18 provinces.
The argument doing the rounds in Kampala is whether this investment should be judged by AFCON comfort or by the facilities left for clubs and younger national teams.
Which national teams are next for FUFA?
- U-15 national team: inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan, 22-31 October 2026.
- Sand Cranes: Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Burundi, 18-20 October.
- Crested Cranes: Olympic qualification fixture against Zambia on 8 October.
- Uganda U-20 national team: in Tanzania to face Sudan.
- U-17 teams: one in camp for African qualifiers and another preparing for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
Where will AFCON 2027 facilities rise?
- Planned international stadiums: Namboole, Hoima and Akii-Bua.
- Training clusters: northern, Hoima and Namboole.
- Additional proposals: Mbarara, Fort Portal, Jinja, Mbale and West Nile.
Will full funding change the Cranes’ standard?
It promises better preparation and business-class travel, but the real measure is whether the investment also leaves clubs and age-group teams stronger.
Source: FUFA
