Divine Mukasa’s England U21 Call-Up Sparks Uganda Loyalty Debate

Divine Mukasa’s promotion to the England Under-21 squad has intensified debate over the 19-year-old’s international future, with Ugandan fans and officials watching closely as the talented attacking midfielder continues his rapid rise.

Born on 22 August 2007 in the London Borough of Newham to a Ugandan father, Sam Mukasa, and a Lithuanian mother, Laima (or Laime) Mukasa, the versatile forward or attacking midfielder remains eligible for three nations: England, Uganda, and Lithuania. He has represented England at every youth level from Under-16 through Under-20 and has now earned his first call-up to the Under-21s.

England confirmed the move on 28 September 2026. Mukasa was added to Lee Carsley’s squad after Chelsea’s Jamie Gittens and Norwich City’s Kellen Fisher and Ben Chrisene withdrew through injury. He will join the group for the remaining 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers: a home match against Slovakia in Stoke on Friday 2 October, followed by a trip to Cork to face the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday 6 October.

The call-up comes days after Mukasa made his England Under-20 debut, providing an assist in a 3-1 win over Italy. At club level, the Manchester City academy product is on a season-long loan at West Ham United in the Championship. He has impressed since returning to the club where he spent a decade in the academy, scoring twice in a 4-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers and establishing himself as a regular under Nuno Espírito Santo.

Uganda’s Interest and the Open Door

Mukasa has never played a senior international match, so FIFA rules still allow him to switch allegiance. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has contacted his camp in recent days. Reports indicate a positive meeting, though the player and his family have asked for more time before making any decision. Optimism exists in some quarters that he could feature for the Uganda Cranes at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Uganda is co-hosting with Kenya and Tanzania from 19 June to 17 July 2027.

Ugandan supporters have expressed a mix of disappointment and hope online following the England U21 news. Many note that youth caps do not lock a player into a senior future and point to previous switches by dual-eligible talents. Others acknowledge the strength of England’s pathway and the difficulty of breaking into a senior setup that already produces high-level competition.

FUFA has been pursuing a broader “heritage player” programme aimed at attracting diaspora talent with Ugandan roots. Mukasa fits the profile: English-trained, currently playing regular senior football in England’s second tier, and still young enough to develop further.

Career Path So Far

Mukasa began at grassroots level before joining West Ham’s academy around the age of five or six. He helped the club win the FA Youth Cup in 2023, then moved to Manchester City in September 2023. He contributed to another FA Youth Cup success with City, enjoyed a prolific Under-18 season, made senior appearances under Pep Guardiola (including an assist on debut in the Carabao Cup), and gained Championship experience on loan at Leicester City earlier in 2026 before returning to West Ham. He signed a new contract with Manchester City running to 2030.

His versatility—able to operate centrally, in attacking midfield, or as a forward—has drawn praise, and the West Ham loan is widely viewed as a smart step for consistent first-team minutes.

What Happens Next?

The England U21 call-up does not close the door on Uganda. It does, however, deepen Mukasa’s ties to the English system and give him the chance to train and potentially play alongside some of the country’s most highly rated young talents. For Uganda, the timing ahead of a home AFCON raises the stakes in the ongoing conversation with the player’s camp.

Mukasa’s senior international decision remains open. Whether he continues along the England pathway, considers a switch to the Cranes for the 2027 tournament on home soil, or keeps Lithuania as a longer-term option, the coming months will be decisive for one of the most intriguing dual-eligible prospects in English football.