Uganda’s hopes of reaching the FIFA World Cup 2026 playoff stage were dashed after hosts Algeria scored twice in the second half to seal a comeback victory in their Group G encounter.

Heading into the decisive clash, the Uganda Cranes needed a win to stay in contention for one of the four coveted playoff spots.

Steven Mukwala put Uganda ahead just six minutes into the match at the Hocine Ait Ahmed Stadium. The Simba SC striker latched onto a well-controlled ball from Jude Ssemugabi, surged forward, and slotted past Algeria’s goalkeeper Luca Zidane to give the visitors an early lead.

Despite relentless pressure from the Desert Fennecs, Uganda’s defense held strong through much of the first half. Ssemugabi nearly doubled the lead but failed to hit the target.

Uganda continued to create chances after the break. In the 56th minute, Allan Okello narrowly missed with a low shot that skimmed inches wide. Just a minute later, Algerian captain and former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez also fired wide from inside the box.

With ten minutes remaining, Algeria’s sustained pressure finally broke Uganda’s resistance. After Mukwala committed a foul in the box, Mohamed Amoura calmly converted the resulting penalty to level the score at 1-1 in the 81st minute.

As the clock wound down, another defensive error proved costly for the Cranes. Goalkeeper Salim Omar Magoola misjudged a challenge and brought down an Algerian forward in the area. The referee immediately pointed to the spot again. Magoola, injured in the process, had to be carried off, with veteran Denis Onyango coming on in his place.

Amoura stepped up once more and converted his second penalty of the game, bringing his total to 10 goals in the qualifiers and securing the win for Algeria.

The result leaves Uganda second in Group G with 18 points—insufficient to progress to the FIFA World Cup 2026 playoff round.

In other Group G action, bottom-placed Somalia fell 1-0 to Mozambique, while Guinea and Botswana played out a 2-2 draw. Meanwhile, in Group C, Rwanda suffered a 3-0 defeat away to South Africa.