Uzbekistan qualifies for World Cup for the 1st time

Uzbekistan has made history by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the very first time.

The Central Asian nation secured its spot at the 2026 tournament—set to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada—after a goalless draw against the United Arab Emirates on June 5 in Abu Dhabi.

This marks a major breakthrough for Uzbekistan, who had previously fallen short in seven consecutive qualification campaigns. Past near-misses included a dramatic away-goals loss to Bahrain in 2006 and a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Jordan in 2014.

Goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov was instrumental in the decisive match, pulling off several key saves to help preserve the crucial point that sealed qualification. Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov also played a standout role in the team’s solid defensive display.

Uzbekistan now joins an expanding field of 48 nations set to compete at the 2026 World Cup. Other confirmed teams include co-hosts USA, Canada, and Mexico, as well as global powerhouses like Japan, Argentina, Iran, and New Zealand.

The historic qualification has sparked celebrations across Uzbekistan, where fans have long awaited their nation’s debut on football’s biggest stage.