Sensation in Uzbek football: “It would be even bigger than Abdulkodir’s transfer!”

Uzbekistan U-youth team head coach Sergey Chigodaev recently gave a comprehensive interview to Kazakhstan’s “Futbol Joly” YouTube channel. In it, he discussed not only his career but also addressed the most pressing issues of Uzbek football. In particular, he thoroughly responded to questions about Uzbekistan's possible first-ever qualification for the World Cup.

As is known, Sergey Chigodaev is the first coach of today’s most popular Uzbek footballer, Abdulkodir Khusanov, who currently plays for Manchester City. Chigodaev trained Abdulkodir from age 7 to 16 at the Bunyodkor academy and is considered the one who discovered his talent.

The Uzbekistan national team will face UAE on June 5 in a decisive World Cup qualifying match. A win in this match could secure the country’s first-ever World Cup berth.

“If Uzbekistan qualifies for the World Cup, it will be an even bigger sensation than Abdulkodir’s move to Manchester City,” said Sergey Chigodaev. According to him, everyone in the country — players, coaches, and millions of fans — is eagerly awaiting this historic moment. “This dream lives in the heart of every Uzbek. Such success will elevate football in our country and serve as incredible motivation for the younger generation,” he added.

In the interview, Chigodaev also spoke about Uzbekistan’s new generation of footballers. He commented on the success of the U-17 team that recently became Asian champions and attracted attention across the continent.

“Players from the youth team that played in the Olympics and the U-17 team that won the Asian title will soon appear in top European clubs. International scouts have already started targeting them. Even I have been approached for information by agents and recruiters,” he said.

According to Chigodaev, in the past, football agents mostly went to Africa in search of talent. Now their focus has shifted to Uzbekistan. “Thanks to the success in youth competitions, Uzbekistan is now in the spotlight. There are many real talents here, and the interest is high. European clubs are seriously scouting players from Uzbekistan,” he emphasized.

A vivid example is Abdulkodir Khusanov, who now plays for one of the world's top clubs — Manchester City. He caught the attention of foreign clubs thanks to his performances at youth-level tournaments such as the U-20 Asian Cup in Tashkent and the U-20 World Cup in Argentina.

Therefore, Uzbekistan's qualification for the World Cup would not only be a great honor for the country, but also a major milestone opening the path to Europe for young players. It would mark the beginning of a new era for Uzbek football.

Without a doubt, the June 5 match will be one of the most important in the history of Uzbek football. For fans, players, coaches — for the entire nation — this match may not just be a sporting event but a historic milestone and a dream come true. It will open new horizons, especially for the next generation.