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.
United States President Donald Trump has welcomed FIFA’s decision to suspend the red card issued to USA striker Folarin Balogun, clearing the forward to feature in the country’s crucial Round of 16 clash against Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
FIFA announced the decision on Sunday, overturning the suspension that would have ruled Balogun out of Monday’s knockout encounter after he was sent off during the USA’s match against Bosnia last week.
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The development comes as a major boost for the United States, with Balogun expected to play a key role in the team’s bid to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
Reacting shortly after FIFA’s announcement, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to praise the governing body for what he described as the right decision.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote.
Balogun’s availability is expected to strengthen the American attack against Belgium in one of the standout fixtures of the World Cup Round of 16.
The striker has been a key figure for the USA throughout the tournament, and his return provides a timely boost as the team prepares for one of its toughest tests in the competition.
A new report has raised concerns over the future of Nigerian football, warning that the country could miss another FIFA World Cup unless significant changes are made to the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The report, released as the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues in the United States, Canada and Mexico, argues that Nigeria’s continued absence from football’s biggest tournament reflects deep-rooted administrative problems rather than a shortage of football talent.
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According to the report, failing to qualify for the World Cup has hurt the international profile of Nigerian players and slowed the growth of the domestic game.
It says the country’s football potential will remain underutilised unless the federation undergoes far-reaching reforms.
The report also notes that several football stakeholders and respected sporting figures have repeatedly called for the NFF to be restructured and insulated from political influence.
They believe only a transparent and professionally managed federation can restore confidence in Nigerian football.
It identifies a number of long-standing issues, including alleged financial mismanagement, delayed payment of players’ bonuses, inconsistent coaching appointments and poor administrative planning, as factors that have contributed to the Super Eagles’ recent struggles on the international stage.
Beyond the national team’s disappointing results, the report argues that years of weak governance have affected player welfare and weakened youth football development, limiting Nigeria’s ability to compete consistently with the world’s top football nations.
The report concludes that meaningful leadership reforms within the NFF are essential if Nigeria hopes to reclaim its place at future FIFA World Cup tournaments and restore the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s football powerhouses.
The race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy enters a decisive phase on Saturday as the Round of 16 gets underway, with the remaining 16 teams battling for a place in the quarter-finals.
African hopes now rest on Morocco and Egypt, the continent’s last surviving representatives in the tournament.
Morocco will be the first African side in action, taking on hosts Canada on Saturday evening, while Egypt face defending champions Argentina on Tuesday in a high-stakes knockout encounter.
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Among the favourites still in contention, France will continue their pursuit of a third consecutive FIFA World Cup final appearance when they face Paraguay later on Saturday.
The knockout stage also features several blockbuster fixtures involving football’s biggest nations. Five-time champions Brazil will take on Norway, while England lock horns with Mexico in another highly anticipated clash.
An all-European showdown between Portugal and Spain is expected to be one of the standout fixtures of the Round of 16, while the United States will face Belgium for a place in the last eight.
The final knockout match will see Switzerland battle Colombia.
Round of 16 Fixtures (WAT)
Saturday, July 4
Canada vs Morocco – 6:00 p.m.
Paraguay vs France – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 5
Brazil vs Norway – 9:00 p.m.
Monday, July 6
Mexico vs England – 1:00 a.m.
Portugal vs Spain – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 7
USA vs Belgium – 1:00 a.m.
Argentina vs Egypt – 5:00 p.m.
Switzerland vs Colombia – 9:00 p.m.
With quarter-final places at stake, fans around the world are expected to witness intense battles as the road to lifting football’s biggest prize becomes increasingly challenging.
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