A significant turning point has occurred in the football history of Central Asia — the national team of Uzbekistan has qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time. This great achievement is a source of pride not only for Uzbek football fans but also for the entire region. The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, did not remain indifferent to this historic victory and sincerely congratulated the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The congratulation was delivered during the “Central Asia – China” summit held on June 17 in Astana. Before the summit participants began their official addresses, Tokayev highlighted Uzbekistan’s sporting success:
— I sincerely congratulate you on this historic achievement in sport — the qualification of Uzbekistan’s national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This is a great success for Uzbek football. We, as representatives of the Kazakh people, are truly happy for our friends and will certainly support you at the World Cup, — said the Kazakh leader.
Uzbekistan’s national team performed confidently in the Asian qualifying round in Group “A,” securing second place and earning a spot at the World Cup. This accomplishment has been recorded for the first time in the nation’s football history. Many football commentators are calling this a turning point for the region’s sports landscape.
The other countries represented at the summit — China, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan — did not achieve success in the qualifying stage. This highlighted the need for these countries to reassess their sports development strategies.
Kazakhstan’s national team, meanwhile, is participating in the European qualifying tournament in Group “J.” They are currently competing with Wales, North Macedonia, Belgium, and Liechtenstein for the single qualifying spot. The Kazakh team is currently in 4th place but continues to fight for World Cup participation. The European qualifiers will conclude in November.
The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 across cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The format of the tournament has changed — this time, 48 national teams will participate. This offers Uzbekistan’s team not only the chance to take part but also a real opportunity to advance beyond the group stage.
Uzbekistan’s qualification marks the beginning of a new era for Central Asian football, according to sports analysts. It demonstrates that the region’s players can now pursue real goals, not just dreams. All attention is now focused on preparing the team for the World Cup. A new chapter is being written. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!
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