- Uganda is exploring a future FIFA World Cup bid following its AFCON 2027 success.
- Plans include developing at least three stadiums with over 45,000 seats.
- Government is prioritizing sports infrastructure as a long-term investment strategy.
After securing the rights to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Uganda is clearly thinking beyond the continental stage. Government officials have now revealed that the country hopes to position itself for a future FIFA World Cup bid — even though the 2031 edition is no longer an option.
The revelation was made by Kedrace Turyagyenda, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Sports, while appearing before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The committee was reviewing the December 2025 Auditor General’s report when the discussion turned to the long-term future of Uganda’s sports sector.
Dr. Turyagyenda was responding to concerns from Members of Parliament who questioned why many sports professionals in Uganda still earn modest incomes despite the country’s recent international success, particularly in athletics. She acknowledged the concern but explained that government’s immediate priority is investing in infrastructure — building the kind of facilities that can transform sports into a stronger economic sector.
Uganda, she noted, has experienced rapid population growth and a surge in national pride driven by gold medal performances and rising international recognition for its athletes. But for that momentum to translate into bigger opportunities, the country must first expand and modernize its sports facilities.
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“The bigger plan,” she explained, “is to develop more stadiums in different regions, especially larger ones with capacities beyond 45,000 seats. If we are ever to bid for the World Cup and be considered, we must have stadiums capable of hosting such a tournament. We are already thinking in that direction because soon we expect to have at least three major stadiums that can be looked at.”
However, the global football calendar has already moved forward. In 2025, all 211 FIFA Member Associations met at an Extraordinary FIFA Congress and confirmed that the 2030 FIFA World Cup will be hosted jointly by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with special centenary matches staged in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The 2034 tournament is expected to be held in Saudi Arabia, meaning Uganda’s ambitions would realistically be for a later edition.
Still, officials believe the groundwork is being laid.
At present, Uganda’s flagship facility is the Mandela National Stadium, popularly known as Namboole, which seats about 45,000 fans. Hoima City Stadium, with a 20,000-seat main arena and a 2,000-seat indoor sports hall, is also nearing readiness and will serve as one of the venues for AFCON 2027.
Meanwhile, construction continues at the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City. The facility is being developed into a modern multi-sports complex, with the main stadium expected to seat around 20,000 spectators once complete.
For now, hosting the World Cup remains a long-term dream rather than an immediate plan. But if Uganda successfully delivers AFCON 2027 and continues expanding its infrastructure, today’s bold talk could evolve into a serious bid in the decades ahead.
