FIFA World Cup
Three-and-a-half decades after they gained independence and with seven, often heartbreaking, failed qualification campaigns in their wake, Uzbekistan have finally reached the promised land.
Factfile
FIFA Ranking: 50
Previous appearances: 0
How they qualified: AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group A runners-up
Group K fixtures - June 17: v Colombia; June 23: v Portugal; June 27: v DR Congo
Fun fact: The closest Uzbekistan came to qualifying for the Finals prior to booking their ticket to the 2026 edition was for the 2006 and 2014 tournaments, where they fell in the final stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers
FIFA Ranking: 50
Previous appearances: 0
How they qualified: AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group A runners-up
Group K fixtures - June 17: v Colombia; June 23: v Portugal; June 27: v DR Congo
Fun fact: The closest Uzbekistan came to qualifying for the Finals prior to booking their ticket to the 2026 edition was for the 2006 and 2014 tournaments, where they fell in the final stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers
Thanks to a steady flow of exceptional talent, Uzbekistan secured passage to the FIFA World Cup 2026 on the back of a consistent run of form through the second and third rounds of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26.
Charting their course will be Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro, who lifted the trophy in 2006 and played in three editions of the global showpiece.
He inherited a team which had been honed by Srecko Katanec - who stepped down due to health reasons - and Uzbekistan legend Timur Kapadze and Cannavaro knows he has players at his disposal who will not stop trying.
There were hardly any mistakes made by the players in their qualifying campaign, with Uzbekistan always on the front foot.
Charting their course will be Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro, who lifted the trophy in 2006 and played in three editions of the global showpiece.
He inherited a team which had been honed by Srecko Katanec - who stepped down due to health reasons - and Uzbekistan legend Timur Kapadze and Cannavaro knows he has players at his disposal who will not stop trying.
There were hardly any mistakes made by the players in their qualifying campaign, with Uzbekistan always on the front foot.
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Having entered in the second round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers, Uzbekistan began in impressive fashion. Draws with Islamic Republic Iran allied with four wins saw the White Wolves race through to the third round.
With three wins and a draw through their first four outings they made a flying start before a 3-2 loss on the road in Qatar on matchday five set their stroll to progression back a step.
With three wins and a draw through their first four outings they made a flying start before a 3-2 loss on the road in Qatar on matchday five set their stroll to progression back a step.
The two goals in that loss came from starlet Abbosbek Fayzullaev and the dynamic forward would again spark a run that saw his nation go undefeated over their remaining five matches.
The 22-year-old was on target in a 1-0 win against DPR Korea DPR again in a 2-2 draw with Iran that moved the nation to the brink of qualification.
History was then made as they played out a goalless stalemate against United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi to finally clinch a ticket to the sport’s top table.
Drawn in Group K, Uzbekistan will now look to create more history against the likes of Portugal, Colombia and Congo DR.
Sources: FIFA, AFC
The 22-year-old was on target in a 1-0 win against DPR Korea DPR again in a 2-2 draw with Iran that moved the nation to the brink of qualification.
History was then made as they played out a goalless stalemate against United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi to finally clinch a ticket to the sport’s top table.
Drawn in Group K, Uzbekistan will now look to create more history against the likes of Portugal, Colombia and Congo DR.
Sources: FIFA, AFC
