The head coach of the Uzbekistan national team, Timur Kapadze, has recently sparked great interest among football fans with his statements. Kapadze shared his thoughts on the significance of reaching the World Cup final stage, the place of this historic achievement in the country's football life, and the prospects for the Central Asian team at the 2026 tournament.
“Undoubtedly, participating in the World Cup is an invaluable historic success for us. The World Cup is the most prestigious and top-level tournament in the football world. We worked tirelessly for years to achieve this dream, and finally, all our efforts paid off. Nowadays, interest in football is growing in our country, and many parents are taking their children to football schools. This is a very inspiring situation. It also helps discover new talents, improve infrastructure, and attract the attention of sponsors.
It was not easy for me to join the team in the middle of the qualifying stage. The atmosphere and the situation were very serious, and there was very little time. It was necessary to start working quickly with the national team and to achieve results. In the past, we had come close to qualifying, but luck was not on our side. This time, we showed resilience and patience until the last moments and, with the right preparation, secured the much-needed ticket.
Every match brings its own pressure, but the decisive encounter in Abu Dhabi was a big test for everyone. Since we understood that a single point would be enough, a special tension arose. We mobilized all our strength and capabilities to secure the necessary point. This victory brought new spirit and inspiration to the whole team and the country.
Currently, a solid foundation has been laid in our national team. In the upcoming friendly matches, we will try out new talents. Any footballer who can show himself will definitely find a place in the squad. At the same time, maintaining stability and fostering a healthy competitive environment is our main goal.
We plan to fully utilize FIFA dates and hold as many friendly matches as possible for preparation. In my opinion, the CAFA Nations Cup is also a valuable tournament. This tournament gives us the opportunity to play against different teams in a short period. Moreover, it is an excellent chance to test new players. Any match or tournament, even if small in scale, will be beneficial in our preparation.
Uzbekistan is participating in the World Cup for the first time. For us, this is a huge life lesson, a new stage, and a new chapter. Just participating in such a prestigious tournament and gaining experience is of great value. But we approach each match with the aim of winning. If we manage to pass the group stage and go as far as possible, that would be wonderful. The World Cup is a very important event.
The experience of our players competing in the top European leagues brings great benefit to the national team. They become stronger in high-competition environments and honorably defend the pride of their country. This also gives new momentum to the development of Uzbek football,” said Kapadze.
Our fans can expect even greater results. Tough challenges lie ahead, but the confidence and love for our guys are strong. A new story will be written at the World Cup!
Source: the-afc.com
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