The draw for the "World Cup 2026" held in Washington, D.C., has become the center of attention for the global football community. The "K" group, where Uzbekistan's national team was placed, has drawn significant interest from fans. This group includes Portugal, which has an established position in world football; Colombia, known for its dynamic squad; and one of the playoff winners, either New Caledonia, Jamaica, or Congo.
Following the draw, intense discussions began surrounding football. Anvar Gofurov, a former defender of Uzbekistan's national team, shared his impressions in an interview with Sports.uz.
According to him, as expected, their group consists of strong opponents, but this also comes with positive aspects:
— First of all, I congratulate all the fans. The long-anticipated historic moment is approaching. Being in the same group as a top-tier national team like Portugal is an honor in itself. Their team has a unique charm as they feature Cristiano Ronaldo, who has immense worldwide fan support. Colombia is also a strong opponent with its own high level. In one word, our group is very competitive, — said Gofurov.
He emphasized that the specific opponents in the draw did not matter beforehand:
— At the World Cup, the concept of a weak opponent almost doesn’t exist. I watched the draw with great excitement as a fan. For me, it made little difference which teams completed our group, — he noted.
Gofurov did not conceal one of his primary beliefs — he is confident that Uzbekistan has a chance to progress from the group:
— I believe our national team can achieve the task of advancing from the group. There is strength, experience, and quality in our play. Our players are ready to overcome this journey, — he expressed confidently.
He viewed the debut match against Colombia positively:
— It’s a good opportunity because both teams will be under some pressure in their opening game. It will take time for them to find their rhythm. We can approach the third-round game against the fourth-pot team in our best condition. The group’s fate might be decided precisely in that match, — the former footballer stated.
Regarding the match against Portugal and Ronaldo, Gofurov had this to say:
— The current Portugal team is not only about Ronaldo; it’s a complete national team with top-level players in every position. They are one of the favorites. However, this doesn’t mean there’s no chance against them. Anything can happen in a World Cup, — he remarked.
From Anvar Gofurov’s comments, it is evident that the national team faces serious challenges ahead, but confidence and determination remain strong. Both fans and experts are hopeful for the team as they approach this historic participation.
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