Canada's Men Earn First-Ever FIFA U-17 World Cup Victory
Elijah Roche scored in the 88th minute, and Marius Aiyenero converted a penalty in stoppage time as Canada achieved a dramatic 2–1 comeback win over Uganda on Wednesday, marking the country’s first victory in nine appearances at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Match Highlights
Uganda took an early lead when James Bogere scored in the 25th minute, giving his team a memorable moment in its debut at a FIFA tournament. But Canada turned the tide late in the match held in Doha, Qatar.
- Roche, minutes after making a crucial defensive save, headed in Aghilas Sadek’s corner to equalize.
- Following a video review, Uganda’s John Asiimwe was ruled to have fouled Aiyenero inside the penalty area.
- Aiyenero, a substitute who plays for Los Angeles FC 2, calmly converted the penalty past Uganda goalkeeper Gilbert Mazige in the 98th minute.
Historic Context
With this result, Canada improved its record at the U-17 World Cup to 1–20–4. Since first hosting the event in 1987, the team had been outscored 71–13 across 25 matches, including one goal that came from an opponent’s own goal.
“Tonight is a proud moment for our program,” said Canada head coach Mike Vitulano. “We wanted to set a new benchmark for the generations to come and did just that. The boys showed incredible character to come from behind, fight their way back, and find a way to win late. It’s a testament to their belief and togetherness. We’ll enjoy this moment, but we’re an ambitious group and our focus quickly shifts to preparing for the next match.”
Author’s Summary
Canada made history at the FIFA U-17 World Cup with a thrilling 2–1 comeback over Uganda, showcasing resilience, teamwork, and a new era of hope for the nation’s youth team.