Uganda U-15 National Football Team (Rhinos) has upped preparations for the first edition of the historic FIFA U-15 World Cup Festival due in Baku, Azerbaijan, between 22nd and 31st October 2026.
A provisional 26-man squad has thus been released to commence preparations on 1st October 2026 under head coach Anthony Bongole, assistant Alamazan Kagawa, Uthman Nayenga (doctor), George William Muliika (media officer) and team manager Baker Lukooya.
The summoned squad is expected to report to the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru, to mark the beginning of Uganda’s preparations for the tournament, with Bongole expected to assess the players and build a competitive squad during the limited preparation period.
The camp will also allow the technical team to work on the team’s tactical approach and establish the group that will represent Uganda in Azerbaijan.
There are four goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders and seven forwards, with players selected from a mixture of schools, academies and clubs.
Uganda will face Kyrgyz Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Cabo Verde, Tonga and Ecuador in the qualification stage of the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival.
The Rhinos’ campaign is scheduled to begin against the Kyrgyz Republic on October 24, before facing Equatorial Guinea and Cabo Verde on October 25. Uganda will then meet Ecuador on October 26, with the remaining fixture against Tonga also forming part of the qualification-stage programme.
The inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival will offer the young Rhinos valuable international exposure and the chance to test themselves against players from different football cultures.
Unlike a conventional knockout youth World Cup, the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival guarantees teams several matches.
The qualification stage is played in a round-robin format, after which results determine the tier in which each team continues competing.
The tournament will be played in an 8v8 format, with matches consisting of two 20-minute halves.
The event will bring together FIFA Member Associations from around the world, with the majority of the matches taking place at the Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers:
- Swalleh Maganda – Prosper Soccer Academy
- Imran Ssebbalen – Edgars Youth Programme
- Reagan Kirwaana – ISRA Soccer Academy
- Ibrahim Mugambwa – Jinja Secondary School
Defenders:
- Kyeswa Ashiraf – Kampala Junior Team (KJT)
- Muzamiru Matambye – Ebenezer Soccer Academy
- Patson Muhimbon – Prosper Soccer Academy
- Abdushakul Kasibante – Buddo Secondary School
- Paul Oyirwoth – Maroons Soccer Academy
- Victor Bonny Ogwang – Prosper Soccer Academy
- Najib Zizinga – ISRA Soccer Academy
- Bonniface Eriku – Sparta 09
Midfielders:
- Frank Baluku – El Cambio Soccer Academy
- Jonah Muwanguzi – Msingi
- Rahim Mayanja – Rays of Grace Soccer Academy
- Ian Wafula – El Cambio
- Solomon Matovu – Standard High School Zzana (STAHIZA)
- Daniel Iglima – Vipers Soccer Academy
- Shaka Mulwana – Layibi College
Forwards:
- Joseph Ssebuufu – Kampala Junior Team (KJT)
- Ethan Bakiika Tendo Ssaazi – Proline Soccer Academy
- Arawi Sseruwaji – Edgars Youth Programme
- Angello Kasumba – El Cambio Soccer Academy
- Ivan Kiganda – Rays of Grace Soccer Academy
- Mathius Muwonge – Prosper Soccer Academy
- Jefferson Kwikiriza – El Cambio Soccer Academy
