Uzbekistan qualifies for first World Cup, fans celebrate national pride

A 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi on June 5, 2025, sent Uzbekistan to its first FIFA World Cup and made it the first Central Asian nation ever to reach the men’s tournament. The result sealed second place in Group A of Asian qualifying with 21 points, behind Iran on 23, and locked in one of Asia’s direct berths to the expanded 48-team 2026 competition.

For Uzbekistan, the breakthrough ended seven failed World Cup qualifying campaigns since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The national team had twice come close at the final stage, for Germany 2006 and Brazil 2014, and its only major men’s national-team title before this run was the 1994 Asian Games football crown. It also put the country of 35.7 million people into a small post-Soviet group at the global tournament, alongside only Russia and Ukraine.

The celebration moved home to Tashkent on June 10, when Uzbekistan beat Qatar 3-0 at Bunyodkor Stadium. Eldor Shomurodov opened the scoring, Igor Sergeev added another, and Aziz Turgunboev finished the night as fans stayed in the stands to turn a football result into a national display. Supporters posed for photos in steppe-warrior costumes, handed out embroidered duppy skullcaps, and danced to drums.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called the team a symbol of the “new Uzbekistan” and described it as an inspiration for thousands of young people. He attended the Tashkent celebration, honored the players and staff, and gave cars to the squad. Uzbekistan Football Association officials and sports minister Adkham Ikramov also presented medals to the staff.

A broader football push began in 2018, when academies opened in 14 regions across the country.