Before the start of the 2026 World Cup, the captain of the Uzbekistan national football team, Eldor Shomurodov, shared ambitious plans, emphasizing the significant growth of support from fans in Central Asia. In an exclusive interview with FIFA, he noted that the development of football infrastructure in the country has allowed Uzbek athletes to play for leading clubs in Europe.
The Uzbekistan team is now preparing for serious challenges in Group C, where they will face giants such as Portugal and Colombia. Despite the high qualifications of their opponents, the team has a clear goal — to advance to the tournament's playoffs.
“We strive to defend the honor of our country and show that Uzbekistan is a strong football team. Our participation inspires not only Uzbek fans but also football lovers across Central Asia. If we demonstrate a worthy game, it will help attract new fans to Uzbek football from around the world,” said Shomurodov.
The 26-year-old forward, who has become a key player for Istanbul's Başakşehir, scoring 12 goals in 17 matches, embodies a new chapter in the history of Uzbek football. With talents like Abdukodir Khusainov and Abbos Faizullaev on the team, he intends to demonstrate that the region is ready to compete at the highest level.
FIFA notes that the current squad is capable of posing serious competition to teams featuring stars of world football, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodríguez. Shomurodov's leadership qualities and experience could be a decisive factor for the success of the "White Wolves" on the fields of North America in this summer's tournament.
