Uzbekistan celebrated becoming the first ever Central Asian nation to qualify for the football World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Qatar in their final group game.
The White Wolves had already secured their place at the 2026 finals last Thursday following a 0-0 draw with the United Arab Emirates. The result guaranteed them one of the two top spots in Group A of the World Cup Asian qualifiers, alongside Iran.
Prior to this campaign, Uzbekistan had failed on seven occasions to qualify for the World Cup since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The team's only major triumph previously had been winning the men's football tournament at the Asian Games in 1994.
Tuesday's win over Qatar at the Bunyodkor Stadium, in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent, was secured with goals by Eldor Shomurodov, Igor Sergeev and Aziz Turgunboev. Uzbekistan ended in second place in Group A with 21 points, behind Iran on 23 points.
Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev watched the match, and was photographed sitting alongside the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, and the President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, as well as several heads of government from Central Asia.
Fico, Radev and dozens of foreign officials and international investors attended the Tashkent International Investment Forum earlier on Tuesday.
Before the match, Uzbekistan Football Association President Bakhodir Kurbanov and the country's Sports Minister Adkham Ikramov presented medals to the team’s staff.
Following the game, President Mirziyoyev gave out awards and gifted cars to the players as a reward for qualifying.
"They showed true courage and perseverance and our people realized that their dream comes true", Mirziyoyev said.
"I am convinced that this historical achievement combines our people in the way of noble goals, a symbol of inspiration for thousands of young people, to further increase the international Uzbek prestige," he added.
The government has invested in the country's football development since 2018, which included the opening of football academies for young players in 14 regions nationwide.
In December 2019, Mirziyoyev signed a decree to improve the standard and development of football, including preparing national teams for international tournaments. Uzbekistan last year qualified for the Olympic Games football tournament for the first time.
With Asia now having eight guaranteed qualifiers in the new 48-team World Cup — compared to just four in the 32-team format that ended in 2022 with the Qatar tournament — Uzbekistan was a likely contender to step up.
While most of its team plays in the country's domestic league, it includes a few Europe-based stars like Roma forward Eldor Shomurodov and Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
The 2026 World Cup will be held next June in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
