The Uganda U-17 Women’s National Team, the Teen Cranes, were held to a 1-1 draw by Kenya in the first leg of the second round of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers on Friday.
Uganda made a bright start and took the lead in the 13th minute through Shadia Nabirye, who calmly finished to give the hosts an early advantage. The Teen Cranes maintained control for long periods of the game but were unable to extend their lead before halftime.
Kenya returned stronger in the second half and found the equaliser in the 60th minute through Emily Adhiambo, ensuring the two sides head into the return leg level on aggregate.
The result leaves the tie delicately balanced ahead of the decisive second leg scheduled for May 30, 2026, at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya. The match is expected to kick off at 3:00 PM EAT.
Uganda progressed to the second round of the qualifiers after an impressive 6-1 aggregate victory over Zimbabwe in the opening round.
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualification campaign is being played over three rounds of home-and-away fixtures, with teams battling for four available African slots at the global tournament.
The winner between Uganda and Kenya over the two legs will advance to the third and final qualification round, where the successful teams will secure places at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The tournament will be hosted in Morocco from October 17 to November 7, 2026. It will mark the 10th edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and the third time the competition is being staged in Africa.
Morocco will become the second Arab nation to host the tournament after Jordan hosted the event in 2016.
Defending champions North Korea head into the tournament as record four-time winners.
Uganda and Kenya share spoils in U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifier
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