As the World Cup approaches, interest in the Uzbekistan national team is growing. In particular, opponents in our group are no longer viewing Uzbekistan as a simple rival, but as a team that poses a serious threat.
A few days ago, representatives of the Congo national team spoke quite boldly, even claiming, "We will win 3-0, we are physically stronger." However, as time passed, analysis increased, and Uzbekistan's recent matches were studied more thoroughly, their views changed significantly.
Now, players and experts from the Congo side speak about Uzbekistan with caution, even with a hint of anxiety. The previously confident, sharp statements have been replaced by analysis, vigilance, and an acknowledgment of the opponent's strength.
Recently, a special roundtable discussion was held in Congo regarding the match against Uzbekistan in the third round of the 2026 World Cup group stage. Players, experts, and hosts participated, exchanging views on the potential, strengths, and importance of this match for Congo.
The host noted that the match against Uzbekistan would be their third round game, stating that Congo must play for a win at all costs. He specifically mentioned that Uzbekistan finished second in its continent after Iran and is the first Central Asian nation to qualify for the World Cup in history.
The host also touched upon Uzbekistan's head coach, Fabio Cannavaro. He described Cannavaro as a world-renowned figure who understands the World Cup atmosphere perfectly and even won the tournament as a player. This was clearly an additional point of concern for the Congolese side.
During the discussion, the name Abdukodir Khusanov was also mentioned. Congolese representatives noted that there is much talk about Khusanov and that he is a key figure in Uzbekistan's defense. They also mentioned Eldor Shomurodov, noting that the striker, on loan from Roma to Istanbul Basaksehir, scored 22 goals in Turkey, which was assessed as a very good result.
Uzbekistan's recent match against Gabon was also at the center of the discussion. The host and some participants noted that our representatives are learning how to play against African teams. They assessed Uzbekistan's confident victory over Gabon as a dangerous signal.
However, another expert at the roundtable said this result should be viewed differently. In his opinion, Gabon did not come to that match with their strongest squad. He mentioned internal problems in the team after the Africa Cup of Nations and a lack of stability. At the same time, he recalled Gabon's victory over Cameroon at the Qatar World Cup.
Nevertheless, one of the Congolese players participating in the discussion stated that one should not try to diminish Uzbekistan's victory. He expressed the view that "regardless, they beat Gabon's main team." This shows that a cautious attitude toward Uzbekistan's results is forming in the Congo camp.
The host assessed the situation even more critically. "Let's not fool ourselves," he said, emphasizing that Uzbekistan scoring 3 goals and winning is a result that cannot be ignored. However, he also noted that the Congo national team is not going to the World Cup just to participate and must fight for a win in every match.
In his opinion, Congo should not back down regardless of whether the opponent is Portugal, Colombia, or Uzbekistan. The team only has three matches in the group stage, and finishing them with three defeats and returning home was assessed as an unacceptable scenario for Congo.
Another player at the roundtable said there is much talk about Khusanov, Shomurodov, and other strong players in the Uzbekistan squad. But he emphasized that Congo also has players in top leagues and that his team should not fear the opponent.
The host spoke in the same spirit. He put forward the idea, "Why should we be afraid of them, why shouldn't we believe in our own victory?" These words show that there are two moods on the Congolese side: on one hand, acknowledging Uzbekistan's strength, and on the other, not losing faith in their own potential.
In particular, the words of another player were noteworthy. He admitted that he had not initially taken the Uzbekistan national team seriously. But as the World Cup approaches, he said he is increasingly realizing that Uzbekistan is indeed a dangerous opponent.
This acknowledgment is not in vain. The Uzbekistan national team has grown significantly in recent years in terms of game quality, discipline, the level of legionnaires, and mental confidence. The squad includes players recognized in Europe, experienced leaders, and young, ambitious players. Underestimating such a team is equivalent to making a mistake before even stepping onto the pitch.
At the end of the discussion, the host emphasized that there is no turning back for Congo. He said that every player on the national team must deeply feel the responsibility not just to participate in the World Cup, but to fight for victory.
In his opinion, the goal is not just to go and play. Congo must enter every match with the intention to win, believe in their potential, and fight to the end on the pitch. However, caution and respect for the Uzbekistan national team are clearly felt in these words.
In a word, the previous noisy and confident statements in the Congo camp have softened significantly. They now see Uzbekistan not as a simple opponent, but as a dangerous and strong team that needs to be studied thoroughly. This means that the attitude toward our representatives has changed.
Every match at the World Cup is a separate history. For Uzbekistan, the match against Congo will also be a big test. But such discussions on the opponent's side show one thing: it is easy to talk about not fearing Uzbekistan, but beating them on the pitch is an entirely different matter.
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