SPORTS
Uzbekistan Qualifies for FIFA World Cup for the First Time
Uzbekistan has made history by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time ever. The Central Asian nation secured its spot in the 2026 tournament—set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—after a goalless draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi on June 5, 2025.
The result was enough to send Uzbekistan through, marking the end of a decades-long quest that saw the team narrowly miss out on qualification in previous campaigns. Their efforts included heartbreaking exits in 2006 and 2014, but this time, the team held firm under pressure.
Goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov was instrumental in the decisive match, producing three crucial saves in the second half to keep the UAE at bay. Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov also played a key role in securing the vital point needed for qualification.
Uzbekistan joins a growing list of teams confirmed for the expanded 48-team World Cup, including the tournament’s co-hosts, as well as powerhouses like Japan, Iran, Argentina, and New Zealand.
Their historic qualification signals a new chapter for Uzbek football, as the nation prepares to take the world stage for the first time.
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