The official draw for the CAF CECAFA U17 Championship 2026 is out, and Uganda’s Junior Cranes (Cubs) have been drawn into a competitive Group B alongside Ethiopia and Burundi.
The regional youth tournament, scheduled to run from October 10 to October 19, 2026, will see East Africa’s top young talents battle for regional supremacy and a spot in the continental finals.
The Group Breakdown
Group A: Rwanda, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan
Group B: Uganda, Ethiopia, Burundi
Group C: Tanzania, Djibouti, Kenya
With only three teams in Group B, every match will carry maximum stakes for the Cubs. Uganda will face a stern test against an always-technical Ethiopian side and a resilient Burundi team, leaving no room for error if they are to top the group and secure a comfortable path into the knockout stages.
Key Match Dates
The group stage action will unfold across three primary matchdays:
Day 1: October 10, 2026
Day 2: October 12, 2026
Day 3: October 14, 2026
The Cubs will be looking to leverage their past success in regional youth competitions to navigate the group stage and make a strong push for the title.
