The Uganda U17 Boys National Team, the Cubs, have stepped into the final stretch of their FIFA U17 World Cup preparations with a 10-day training camp in Dubai, where they will test their readiness against three international opponents.
Having departed Kampala on Monday, the youthful side is using the United Arab Emirates as their final tuning ground before heading to Qatar, where the global showpiece will run from November 3 to 27.
During their stay, the Cubs will feature in the Dubai Youth Challenge a mini-tournament bringing together several World Cup-bound teams. FUFA confirmed that Uganda will face Venezuela, Panama, and Paraguay in a series of high-intensity friendlies designed to simulate World Cup conditions.
The first match against Venezuela is set for Thursday, October 23, followed by encounters with Panama and Paraguay on October 26 and 28 respectively.
This camp represents a crucial phase for coach Bright Kanyamunyu’s side, who are making Uganda’s historic debut at the FIFA U17 World Cup. The Cubs have been drawn in Group K alongside football powerhouses France, Chile, and Canada with their opening match scheduled for November 5 against the North Americans.
Beyond testing tactics and combinations, the Dubai trip offers the young Ugandan stars valuable international exposure as they prepare to carry the nation’s hopes onto the global stage for the first time.
