Uzbekistan national team captain and prolific striker Eldor Shomurodov shared his excitement about the historic qualification and the upcoming World Cup in an exclusive interview with FIFA. The experienced forward says stepping onto the global stage is a huge source of pride not only for Uzbekistan, but for the entire Central Asian region.
Pride and recognition for the whole region
Eldor Shomurodov said it is hard to put into words how important World Cup qualification is for the nation. “All of Uzbekistan had been waiting for this ticket with great anticipation for years. The fact that not only our people, but also neighboring countries — including the President of Kazakhstan — congratulated us after the result shows the scale of our success,” he said. According to the captain, if the team performs well at the World Cup, Uzbek football will gain millions of new fans worldwide.
Group K and the Fabio Cannavaro factor
At the World Cup, Uzbekistan will compete in Group K against Portugal, Colombia, and one of DR Congo, Jamaica, or New Caledonia. The matches will be hosted by famous cities such as Mexico City, Houston, and Atlanta. Having legendary Fabio Cannavaro as head coach is giving the players extra confidence.
“Who our group opponents are is a secondary issue for us. The main task is to get through the group stage successfully. We will shatter the perceptions of those who see us as underdogs with our play on the pitch,” Shomurodov stated firmly.
Success in Turkey and European experience
Currently on loan at Turkey’s Başakşehir, Eldor is enjoying an upbeat season. In 17 matches he has scored 12 goals and provided 3 assists, leading the scoring race. The first Uzbek footballer to win the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy with Roma, he said he is not intimidated by stars like Ronaldo or James Rodríguez.
Infrastructure and a pathway for the new generation
Shomurodov noted that in recent years Uzbekistan’s focus on football — especially youth academies and infrastructure — is paying off. “We have proven that we are capable of playing for European teams. Today many of our players are moving to top leagues, which raises the overall level of our national team,” the striker said.
An “Uzbek landing” in America
In the captain’s view, support from local fans and Uzbek compatriots living in the United States will be crucial in matches across the ocean. Thousands of supporters from Uzbekistan are also planning to travel to America to witness this historic event with their own eyes.
What result do you think Uzbekistan can achieve against giants like Portugal and Colombia?
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