Uzbekistan close to 20 games unbeaten and stands out in Asian Qualifiers
The team came close to qualifying for the 2006 and 2014 World Cups; without losing in 19 matches, the team wants to play in its first World Cup in 2026
Is it too early to dream about the World Cup? Not for Uzbekistan. This Thursday, the team faces Qatar in the Asian Qualifiers and is looking to reach its 20th unbeaten game, the longest unbeaten streak among any team currently. There are six games left in the qualifiers, but a victory could put the Uzbeks on the path to the 2026 World Cup, held in North America.
The 2026 World Cup could be Uzbekistan’s first. The country has twice failed to qualify, losing to Bahrain and Jordan in the playoffs in the 2006 and 2014 editions. Learn more about the current situation of the team and the history of the Uzbeks:
Uzbekistan’s last defeat was in September 2023, in a friendly against the United States. The country has not lost a competitive match since June 2021, when it was defeated by Saudi Arabia 3-0. It is true that the Uzbeks were eliminated from the Asian Cup by Qatar in February, but the game ended in a draw in normal time and was decided on penalties.
They have gone 19 games without losing. With 10 points from four matches, Uzbekistan is in second place in Group A of the Asian Qualifiers. Tied with Iran, the country has a six-point advantage over the third-placed team, the United Arab Emirates, and could be in a superb position to qualify for the World Cup. The top two teams from each group (three in total) advance to the World Cup.
Passage route
Uzbekistan has been on the path throughout history. Alexander the Great passed through the region and made his conquests. The territory was also on the Silk Road, used for trade of goods between Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Located in a central and “passageway” position, Uzbekistan has seen history flow through its territory.
In the 19th century, the region was dominated by the Russian Empire and, in the 20th century, it was part of the Soviet Union. Uzbekistan gained independence in 1991, three months before the fall of the Soviet regime. In the last 33 years, the country has had only two presidents: Islam Karimov, who remained in power until his death in 2016, and Shavkat Mirzioev.
Investment in sport
Today, the country has ambitious plans for the future. Uzbekistan is an exporter of natural gas and gold, and has a strong agricultural sector. The “Uzbekistan 2030” project seeks to modernize several sectors of the economy, in addition to investing in sports, which is already showing impressive results. The country hosted the 2024 Futsal World Cup, which Brazil won against Argentina.
Uzbekistan’s participation in the Olympic Games was the country’s best in history. In total, Uzbek athletes won 13 medals, eight of which were gold. Their performance earned them 13th place in the medal table, which put the country ahead of Brazil.
The foundation is strong. Uzbek football’s development categories had an outstanding performance in the last edition of the U-17 World Cup, held in 2023. The country fell in the quarterfinals to France, the runner-up of the competition.
Heading for the World Cup?
Dreaming costs nothing. Uzbekistan beat North Korea, Kyrgyzstan and the United Arab Emirates, drew with Iran and has 10 points in the Asian Qualifiers. There are six games left until the end of the qualifying round.
The Uzbeks have six points more than the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, the latter of which will face Uzbekistan on Thursday at 1:15 p.m. With 18 points still up for grabs, the Uzbeks could move into a position close to qualifying for the World Cup with a win.
In the third phase of the Asian Qualifiers, 18 teams are divided into three groups of six teams. The top two teams from each group advance to the World Cup. The third and fourth placed teams from each group are divided into two groups of three teams each. The teams will play each other once at a neutral venue, with the winners of each group qualifying for the World Cup, while the second placed teams face each other in home and away matches to determine the Asian representative in the play-offs.
It’s not a team of big stars. Roma striker Eldor Shomurodov is the star of the Uzbek team. The 1.90m tall giant was only the second player born in Uzbekistan to play in Italy’s Serie A. In addition to the center forward, CSKA’s young Abbosbek Fayzullaev, 21, also stands out.
The national team has been led by Srecko Katanec since 2021. Under the Slovenian’s command, Uzbekistan has played a total of 40 matches, winning 25, drawing seven and losing only six. None of the defeats were in an official match, only in friendlies.
