Footballing history was made this month in Uzbekistan. The National Team of Uzbekistan secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking its first-ever appearance on football’s grandest stage and becoming the first nation from Central Asia to do so. After years of heartbreak, missed chances, and steadfast development, the “White Wolves” have finally arrived.
The journey to qualification was sealed on June 5, 2025, when Uzbekistan held the United Arab Emirates to a 0-0 draw in Abu Dhabi. The result guaranteed them a top-two finish in Group A of the Asian qualifiers and a direct ticket to next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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The Uzbek public celebrated with joy and passion. Streets filled with parades, music, and patriotic songs after the UAE draw. The moment coincided with Eid al-Adha, giving added meaning to the victory. “This qualification is a holiday gift to our people,” Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
The nation’s media heralded the qualification as a “golden page” in the country’s sporting annals.
Five days later, on June 10, the celebrations reached the capital Tashkent as Uzbekistan concluded their qualifying campaign with an emphatic 3-0 win over reigning Asian champions Qatar at Bunyodkor Stadium.
The triumph was witnessed by an enthusiastic home crowd and an audience of dignitaries, including Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, and Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev, and heads of government from Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan, who were in the capital for the Tashkent International Investment Forum. The President of Uzbekistan described it as a “historical achievement that will inspire future generations.”
Following the match, a grand award ceremony was held on the pitch. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev personally handed over medals, trophies, and even keys to brand-new cars to the players and coaching staff, praising their courage, resilience, and commitment. “Our people realized that their dream has come true,” he declared, calling the team’s success “a symbol of inspiration for thousands of young people.”
Uzbekistan’s qualification comes after seven failed attempts since gaining independence in 1991. Previous campaigns often ended in heartbreak: most notably near misses during qualification for the 2006 and 2014 tournaments.
A turning point came with serious investments in sports development. Since 2018, the Uzbek government has established youth football academies in all 14 of administrative units of the country. A 2019 Presidential Decree focused on building a long-term footballing infrastructure and nurturing talent for international competitions.
These efforts bore fruit at the youth level, with Uzbekistan winning the AFC U-23 Asian Cup in 2018, the U-20 Asian Cup in 2023, and the U-17 title earlier this year. The national Olympic football team also qualified for the 2024 Paris Games, another first in the nation’s sporting history.
This new generation is led by head coach Timur Kapadze, a former player who featured in 119 international matches, and a growing group of internationally experienced players. Among them is Eldor Shomurodov, who plays for AS Roma in Italy, and Abdukodir Khusanov, a center-back of English giants Manchester City.
Midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullaev, another rising star, plies his trade at CSKA Moscow and was named Asia’s Youth Player of the Year in 2023. Jamshid Iskandarov, who provided two assists in the final match against Qatar, has also emerged as a key playmaker.
Uzbekistan will now turn its attention to preparing for the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place across North America from June to July next year.
Uzbekistan, currently ranked 57th in the FIFA rankings, will look to make a bold statement on the world stage. With a blend of youth, talent, and momentum, and a passionate nation behind them, the White Wolves may yet spring a few surprises.
