Uzbekistan secured a place at the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history, earning a landmark qualification following a 0-0 draw with the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
The result ensured Uzbekistan finished in the top two of Group A in the AFC qualifiers, joining group leaders Iran in advancing to the 2026 tournament, which will feature an expanded 48-team format.
Head coach Timur Kapadze praised his team's determination and resilience. “We have achieved an important result after a long and difficult journey. A lot of work was done for this result. I sincerely congratulate our people,” he told local outlet Zamin. “This is not only our victory, but the victory of our entire people.”
Uzbekistan had previously failed in seven World Cup qualification campaigns since gaining independence in 1991. The country has long been a regional football contender, winning the 1994 Asian Games and investing heavily in youth development in recent years.
Kapadze, who earned 119 caps for the national team and led the U-23 side at the 2024 Olympics, took over as head coach in January after Srecko Katanec stepped down due to illness. His leadership has been credited with galvanizing a new generation of talent, including Manchester City’s 21-year-old defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
The draw in Abu Dhabi capped a strong qualifying campaign, with Kapadze’s team praised for its discipline and composure under pressure. “Before the game, everyone expressed confidence in our victory. This became both a responsibility and a pressure for us — but we overcame it,” Kapadze said.
The achievement sparked celebrations back home, and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev personally congratulated the squad. “In a fierce competition against the strongest teams in Asia, you demonstrated true character, unbreakable will, and professionalism,” he said in a message to the team.
Uzbekistan now looks ahead to its debut on football’s biggest stage in 2026, marking a new chapter for the Central Asian nation’s football ambitions.
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