Sports
FIFA 2026: Uzbekistan Celebrates First-Ever World Cup Qualification
Uzbekistan has qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history, following a goalless draw against the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.
The result, which came with one qualifying match left to play, was enough to seal Uzbekistan’s place in the 2026 tournament, set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Celebrations erupted across Tashkent, with fans expressing overwhelming joy. “I cannot convey my feelings. I am very, very happy — for the first time in 34 years the Uzbekistan national team has reached the World Cup,” said 36-year-old entrepreneur Otabek Khaydarov.
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The achievement marks a major milestone for a country that only began competing internationally in the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
It also highlights the steady rise of football in a region more traditionally associated with combat sports.
The team’s success is partly attributed to football reforms initiated at the national level. Ravshan Khaydarov, coach of Uzbekistan’s under-23 side, pointed to government involvement as a key factor.
“Presidential decrees adopted to reform football five or six years ago marked the beginning of a process that is still ongoing,” he said.
Khaydarov also credited FIFA-supported infrastructure projects. “The construction of new stadiums and training centres… has been crucial,” he added.
Uzbekistan’s qualification comes during the first World Cup cycle to feature 48 teams, an expansion that has provided new opportunities for emerging nations. Still, officials insist that Uzbekistan’s progress is the result of deliberate development and planning.
The squad’s journey has been led by centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov, striker Eldor Shomurodov, and winger Abbosbek Fayzullaev. Khusanov, now a Manchester City player following a $45 million move earlier this year, has become a fan favorite back home, with jerseys bearing his name being sold in local markets.
Shomurodov plays in Italy for Roma, while 21-year-old Fayzullaev, who represents CSKA Moscow, was named Asia’s best young player in 2023.
Many believe Fayzullaev could be the next major Uzbek export to European football, with comparisons already being made to PSG’s Champions League-winning winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Former national team player and current coach Azamat Abduraimov praised the team’s style.
“The strength of Uzbek football lies in the combination of play, technique, passing and attacking,” he said. “We have always had good strikers and creative, technical midfielders. But we lacked success because we were weak in defence.”
With Khusanov’s emergence, that weakness appears to have been addressed.
Uzbekistan’s youth teams have already tasted success, winning the Asian U17 and U20 championships, and the country is set to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Looking to the future, Coach Khaydarov remains optimistic. “It is important to have a systemic approach to identifying talent and selecting the best players who will become famous.
“The world will know Uzbekistan thanks to our national team,” he said. “Our dream is to see Uzbek players in the best European clubs.”
For fans, the dream is already becoming a reality. “I would like to have strong opponents at the World Cup, I know at that there will be no weak ones there,” said supporter Otabek.
Portuguese football tactician Carlos Queiroz has made a surprise return as head coach of Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars.
The Ghana Football Association announced the 73-year-old’s reappointment on Thursday, weeks after he appeared to signal his departure from the team following their exit from the FIFA World Cup.
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Queiroz took charge of Ghana in April and guided the Black Stars to the last 32 of the tournament before they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia.
Shortly after the loss, the Portuguese coach appeared to announce his departure on social media.
However, following subsequent discussions, the Ghana FA has decided to bring him back for another spell.
The duration of Queiroz’s new contract was not disclosed, but the football association said he would be tasked with preparing the Black Stars for “a successful new phase on the international stage.”
The GFA said Queiroz’s extensive international experience, technical expertise and knowledge of the Black Stars made him the right man to lead the team into its next chapter.
Queiroz has managed several national teams, including Portugal, Iran, Egypt, South Africa, Colombia and Qatar.
He also had two spells as assistant manager at Manchester United under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
His immediate priority will be Ghana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with the qualifiers scheduled to begin later this month.
The Black Stars have been drawn in Group C alongside Ivory Coast, The Gambia and Somalia, although the dates and venues for their opening two matches are yet to be announced.
The Ghana FA said further details on Queiroz’s mandate would be released in due course.
Nigerian winger Femi Azeez has completed a remarkable rise from non-league football to the Premier League after joining Brighton & Hove Albion from Millwall on a four-year contract.
The transfer, for an undisclosed fee, was completed after Brighton and Millwall submitted a deal sheet before the initial 11pm transfer deadline, extending the window until 1am on Wednesday.
Azeez, 25, joins Brighton following an outstanding 2025/26 campaign with Millwall, where he played a key role in the club’s push for the Championship play-offs.
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The Nigerian made 77 appearances for Millwall, scoring 15 goals and registering 13 assists. His impressive performances also earned him places in the PFA and EFL Championship Teams of the Season.
Brighton sporting director Mike Cave welcomed Azeez to the club, describing him as one of the most exciting attacking talents in the Championship.
“We are delighted to add Femi to the squad. He arrives off the back of an excellent season with Millwall, having played a key role for them as they finished in the playoffs,” Cave said.
“He was one of the most exciting attacking talents in the Championship, and we’re delighted to have finally agreed his transfer, and we now look forward to working with him.”
Azeez’s journey to the Premier League has been unconventional. After spending time in Watford’s youth setup, he moved into non-league football with Northwood before spells at Wealdstone and Hanwell Town.
He subsequently earned a move to Reading in 2019 before joining Millwall in 2024, steadily working his way up the English football pyramid.
The winger has also made a strong start to his international career with Nigeria. On his senior debut in June, Azeez scored both goals in the Super Eagles’ 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe.
Four days later, he provided an assist as Nigeria defeated Jamaica 3-0.
Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has been convicted of drink-driving in Gran Canaria, Spain, after a court found him to have been driving with an alcohol level more than three times above the legal limit.
A court source confirmed the conviction to AFP on Wednesday, stating that the 23-year-old centre-back was fined €14,400 ($16,700) and had his driving licence suspended for eight months.
The case followed an incident on August 16 and was heard at a trial in San Bartolome de Tirajana, a village in Gran Canaria.
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Asencio, who is from the Canary Islands, was not with Real Madrid’s squad at the time of the incident as he was recovering from a hamstring injury suffered at the end of July.
The conviction comes amid another legal case involving the defender. Asencio is due to face a separate court hearing in Gran Canaria over the alleged non-consensual sharing of a sexual video dating back to 2023.
Spanish media reports say Asencio expects to be cleared in that case if the two women filmed in the video formally forgive him.
Three former Real Madrid reserve players are also on trial over allegations that they recorded and distributed the video. The trial is scheduled for September 3, 4 and 7.
The latest conviction adds to a difficult period for the young Real Madrid defender, who has been dealing with both injury and legal issues off the pitch.
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