By Otabek Umarov, First Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan
Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup will forever go down in history as one of the greatest achievements not only of Uzbek football, but of the entire sports organization of New Uzbekistan. As the first country from Central Asia to reach the World Cup, this was a milestone for our entire nation.
This achievement once again shows that the changes made bring results, and that our country takes its rightful place among the leading sports countries in the world.
It is very encouraging to see the games of our national team followed not only by thousands of our people in the stadiums, but also by international fans. This was our window to the world. Soccer fans in Mexico City, Houston and Atlanta have met a warm, friendly and welcoming group of Uzbek fans, reflecting the noble and noble values of Uzbekistan. I have no doubt that our fans have created long-lasting friendships with other fans around the world, encouraging people to visit Uzbekistan and learn more about our warm hospitality and rich culture.
The performances of our players have attracted worldwide attention, while their dedication, character, and fighting spirit have won the hearts of millions of football fans around the world. Searches for ‘Uzbekistan’ on Google increased by 450% during FIFA World Cup 2026.
Our participation in the World Cup was the culmination of years of deliberate planning, strategy and investment in football and sport at all levels. It has created new economic opportunities, from increased sponsorship and broadcasting interest to increased sports tourism and international relations. I am sure that the knowledge gained in such a competition will serve as a solid foundation for future victories.
This journey was not going to be easy. Losing is part of growing up. They build character, provide valuable lessons, and make future victories more meaningful. The most important thing is that we keep moving forward. We keep growing, learning, and we won’t stop. This is just the beginning of a great journey for Uzbek football.
The level of investment in football infrastructure across Uzbekistan in recent years has changed, including the development of institutions, colleges and programs that support our success today. This includes the construction of small pitches in around 70% of our communities, the refurbishment of around 15,000 school pitches and the establishment of a network of dedicated football schools which now support over 65,000 young players.
We are also investing in a new 55,000-capacity stadium, the largest in our history, which will be ready for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup which we are co-hosting with Azerbaijan. All Uzbeks used have been part of a joint, long-term strategy, and the results speak for themselves – from the qualification of the FIFA World Cup and the Premier League player in Abdukodir Khusanov (pictured above with Otabek Umarov), to the 13th place at the Olympics in Paris 2024.
We have established strong pathways from grassroots participation through to the professional and international stages, ensuring that talented young players are identified, developed and supported throughout their careers. A symbol of this desire is the new Olympic City in Tashkent, the largest sports stadium in Central Asia, which offers our athletes world-class facilities and the latest technology to train and compete at the highest level.
Uzbekistan’s emphasis on youth development is bearing fruit. The U-17 women’s team won the 2023 CAFA (Central Asian Football Association) tournament in Tajikistan, undefeated to lift the trophy. At home, the Uzbekistan Football Association has many strategic plans to strengthen women’s football.
The future of football in Uzbekistan is bright. In 2025, we were crowned the AFC U-17 Asian Cup, defeating the hosts, Saudi Arabia, in the final. In addition, our women’s national team reached the quarterfinals of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia.
A major development on the horizon is Uzbekistan’s award as host of the 2029 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. We will be the first Central Asian nation to host the tournament. This will be a major platform for the development of women’s football across the country.
Uzbekistan’s participation in the FIFA World Cup was a defining moment not only for football, but for sport and nationalism as a whole.
With almost 60 percent of our population under the age of 30, our efforts will inspire a generation of young Uzbeks to play the game, and pursue careers in every area of sports, from coaching and sports science to the business side of football. This will help our entire sports ecosystem thrive for years to come.
