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.
Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight killed at least two people and injured 15 others, including two children, Ukrainian authorities said.&nbs...
Saudi Aramco has ordered staff to evacuate its headquarters amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Two people were killed in an attack on D...
Nigeria's first Ebola case in more than a decade may be linked to travel in Uganda, Swiss authorities said on Thursday, although the source of ...
Russia is willing in principle to resume peace talks with Ukraine and the United States in November, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said after President Vladimir Putin met U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg.
Saudi Aramco has ordered staff to evacuate its headquarters amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Two people were killed in an attack on Dammam airport, while Iran's IRGC Navy claimed strikes on seven vessels and warned the U.S. of a wider response.
Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight killed at least two people and injured 15 others, including two children, Ukrainian authorities said. Meanwhile, Russia said it had intercepted the vast majority of 630 Ukrainian drones launched towards Moscow.
Yemen's Houthis have denied targeting the holy city of Medina on Wednesday adding that they have not conducted any military operations towards Saudi Arabia either, denying earlier comments from the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
Georgia’s Constitutional Court in Batumi will on Wednesday hear a lawsuit seeking to ban five Georgian opposition parties, four of which collectively gained 784,820 votes (37.79 per cent) in the country’s last national elections in 2024.
Saudi Aramco has ordered staff to evacuate its headquarters amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Two people were killed in an attack on Dammam airport, while Iran's IRGC Navy claimed strikes on seven vessels and warned the U.S. of a wider response.
Kazakhstan is preparing sweeping military reforms after 14 service members died during exercises in the Caspian Sea. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev approved the plans on 21 October, with major changes to training, oversight and defence capabilities set to begin in 2027.
Iranian officials have stepped up warnings of retaliation amid the threat of renewed U.S.-Israeli strikes, while signalling that a diplomatic solution remains possible if Washington demonstrates a sincere commitment to rebuilding trust.
Investing in children means more than funding schools and hospitals. At a major international summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, leaders and experts called for a joined-up approach to healthcare, education and social protection to improve children's lives.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have unveiled a strategic partnership to deepen trade, defence and energy ties, marking a major step in relations between the two NATO allies.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment