Uzbekistan Becomes the First Central Asian Nation to Qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The Uzbekistan national football team has achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time in its history. In their decisive qualifying match against the UAE, a 0–0 draw was enough to secure their spot in the tournament.

Thus, Uzbekistan becomes the first country from Central Asia to qualify for a FIFA World Cup.

The 2026 World Cup will kick off in June and, for the first time, be hosted across three countries:

United States

Canada

Mexico

With 48 national teams competing, Uzbekistan’s debut on the world stage marks a proud moment for the country and a new chapter in Asian football history.